Bristol City
Strengths:
Very good attacking wise.
Bristol City have very good attacking options, with Jonathan Kodjia grabbing 20 goals in the Championship last season. Lee Tomlin was also very prominent at the end of last season, managing to save the club from relegation. This summer’s signing, Callum O’Dowda also proved to be a very good addition at £1.3m. He’s a quick, pacey winger who needs to be watched.
Potential to control pace.
The midfield options for Bristol City bring a wealth of experience. Gary Oneil, a summer addition, means that Bristol City are able to control the pace in midfield. They’re good with ball retention, Marlon Pack is the key to long range passes, with O’Neil anchoring and then one of Lee Tomlin, Bobby Reid or Josh Brownhill pushing forward.
Quick counter attacking.
Because of the wingers, attacking midfielders and strikers, Bristol City are able to counter very quickly. O’Dowda is pacey and able to break. With the additions of Kodjia (pacier than he looks) and Reid or Brownhill, with Abraham, Bristol City are lethal on the counter. Something Newcastle United has to watch out for.
Tammy Abraham has 3 in 3.
Tammy Abraham is another good signing for Bristol City this summer. Signed from Chelsea on loan, the striker has 3 goals in 3 games with an obvious eye for goal. Make a mistake tomorrow, and Abraham could punish us. NUFC has to be careful.
Won 2 out of 3 so far.
Bristol City have had a solid start to the new campaign, winning 2 out of their first 3 matches. Bristol City’s only loss was against Norwich, but City had some great chances, of which some they should’ve scored.
Weaknesses:
Hodur Magnusson looks shaky.
Hordur Magnusson has looked shaky so far. A summer signing from Juventus, Magnusson looks like he needs work, and this could be something that Newcastle should try to exploit. Gayles pace and movement could be key.
Adam Matthews isn’t fully fit.
Adam Matthews, a right-back signed from Sunderland on loan, looks weak and unfit. He trained with Sunderland U21’s and they wouldn’t let go of him until they signed another right-back, which harmed his pre-season. This is potentially a place for Matt Ritchie to exploit.
Don’t always start matches too well.
The Wigan game was a prime example of this point. Bristol City were shocking in the first half of their first match and looked off the pace. Newcastle should look to exploit that, but Bristol City will know they have to start well.
Overall, anyone expecting this game to be a breeze has another thing coming. Bristol City, coupled with their new stadium and a record crowd, will be a very hard prospect to face. Bristol City are dangerous opposition and should be taken seriously.