Bristol City – Barnsley

Season of great expectations started as a nightmare for City. First were trashed at home soil by Millwall (0-3), then maybe even bigger shock was when Steve Coppell left the club. Ex care-taker (now should be permanent boss), Billy Sharp, took the charge and seems managed to stabilize the club. They were good on the road vs. Doncaster and missed to win thankfully to additional time penalty (1-1). Big injury list has been decreasing. Defender Carey is back in the contention, but key man Nicky Maynard is out, as well as defender Kalifa Cisse. The Robins made a double last year against Barnsley and won 4 of their 5 last meetings.

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Barnsley did defeat Palace in the previous round (at home 1-0), but still have big problems with scoring. Even that one was an own goal. Departure of their key striker Daniel Bogdanovic (to Sheff.Utd.) seems to be a bigger blow than they expected. Beside a netting problem, they have a terrible record away from home. Barnsley haven’t won on the road for six months (at Ashton Gate for 17 years). The Tykes will be without two midfielders (both new signings) Jim O'Brien and Goran Lovre.

 

If home side wants to carry high ambitions (in my opinion City could be fighting for a play-off), they simply have to win games like Barnsley at home.

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Bet: Bristol City -0.5ah

Odd: 2.03 188bet

Stake: 7/10

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