Bristol City take on Crystal Palace for the first league game at Ashton Gate of the 2009/10 Championship season. City, who drew at Preston last weekend, will be hopeful of victory against a beleaguered Palace, who are currently the victims of a transfer embargo due to the uncertainty over the club`s future
Gary Johnson:
‘It is absolutely vital we win our home games. Given that we play three of the next four at our place, we really do have a marvellous opportunity. But we need the fans to help us take advantage.
‘Whenever I speak to opposition managers after games here, they always mention the crowd and the atmosphere. If we can get that noise around Ashton Gate again, especially early on in the season, it can help put us into a play-off position.
‘Our crowd can be massive for us and help us stay where we want to stay in this league, which is at the top.’
Neil Warnock:
‘I think we have got to get into a winning habit now. I thought we should have won on Saturday and I don’t think there is any pressure on us now for tomorrow and Tuesday according to the bookies.
‘They have them down as foregone conclusions for home wins and they are games we want to enjoy really. I think we can go to Bristol and Ipswich and enjoy them.’
Bristol City striker Danny Haynes is suspended after seeing red in the Carling Cup win over Brentford. David Clarkson should take his place with Nicky Maynard in attack.
depends who partners him
Palace will have to do without striker Stern John, who is out for around 10 weeks due to an elbow injury sustained on the opening day of the season.
netted twice in the midweek Carling Cup win over Torquay.
Last meeting
Bristol City 1-0 Palace
Sunday December 28 2008
Bristol City: Basso, Orr, Carey, Fontaine, Brian Wilson, Sproule, Johnson, Elliott, McIndoe, Maynard (Skuse, 83), John (Adebola, 73)
Subs not used: Trundle, Henderson
Goals: Maynard 2
Palace: Speroni, Clyne, Fonte, Lawrence, Hills (Kuqi, 70), Butterfield, Carle, Derry, Ifill, Oster (Danns, 71), Lee (Scannell, 79)
Subs not used: Ertl, Griffit
Bookings: Butterfield, Fonte
R L Shoebridge
2-0 to City
Ipswich v Crystal Palace Tue 18th of Aug 7:45pm