Bristol City v Wolves: Key questions as top two prepare to meet in Sky Bet Championship
Saturday 30 December 2017 17:28, UK
As Bristol City and Wolves prepare to meet in the Sky Bet Championship on Saturday, live on Sky Sports Football from 5.15pm, we take a look at some of the talking points.
Best in the league?
While Cardiff and Derby could both leap above Bristol City by the time this game kicks off on Saturday evening, these are the top two sides heading into the weekend and deservedly so.
Wolves have been "the benchmark" all season, according to Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce, and even a worst-case scenario sees them five points clear at the top heading into the New Year.
The Robins, meanwhile, only won one of their first five games this season, but have risen rapidly since and show no signs of slowing down. Wolves are a shoo-in for promotion but Bristol City will be there or thereabouts as well if they can keep going.
Wolves' toughest trip?
Wolves had a difficult time of it at Millwall on Boxing Day, and it won't get any easier for them at Ashton Gate on Saturday.
Bristol City only have the fifth-best home record in the Championship heading into the weekend, but they've won their last three there in the Sky Bet Championship and have also beaten three Premier League sides at home in the Carabao Cup this season, including Manchester United.
"We did all right against them last time. We did a job on them," said Lee Johnson of his opposition on Saturday. "Now we need to do a job for the league. It's a massive game and we'll have them well studied again."
Justice for Johnson?
What a difference a year makes. Bristol city ended 2016 in 17th and with fans calling for Johnson to go, while the 36-year-old also revealed that there was serious abuse and even a death threat sent his way.
But the Robins are now flying high in the knowledge that they can't end 2017 any lower than fourth and also have a two-leg Carabao Cup semi-final with Manchester City to look forward to in January.
It goes to show that sometimes changing your manager is not the only answer, even after a club-record run of eight-straight league defeats. The hierarchy at Bristol City deserve great credit for sticking with their man.
Live EFL
Goals goals goals?
The first game between these two sides was a bit of a goalfest in September as they played out a 3-3 draw at Molineux. And last season there were nine goals in their two games.
No side has scored more than the 45 Wolves have mustered this season heading into the weekend, and only Sheffield United can match Bristol City's total of 39. Safe to say that a goalless draw is quite unlikely at Ashton Gate on Saturday evening.
Don't miss the Sky Bet Championship clash between Bristol City and Wolves, live on Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event from 5.15pm on Saturday
