The fourth round of fixtures in the 2021-22 Championship season will take place this weekend, beginning on Friday night with Bristol City’s home clash against Swansea.
The Robins brought their 12-match winless run in the division – that stretched back to March – to an end by virtue of their midweek victory at Reading and they will now be hoping to build on that success by claiming their first three points at Ashton Gate since beating Huddersfield at the end of January.
All the important travel information ahead of tomorrow's match, including the new AG3 service from Temple Meads and the city centre.
— Bristol City FC (@BristolCity) August 19, 2021
Nigel Pearson’s side certainly have a good record against Swansea, as they have only lost one of the previous six meetings between the two sides, taking four points from a possible six last season.
That record is made even more impressive, as Swansea have been challenging for promotion during the past two campaigns, but after losing their manager and several key players over the summer, new boss Russell Martin is still chasing his first league win.
It certainly feels like a period of transition for the Swans, and Bristol City can be backed at 7/5 to capitalise on that by claiming all three points on Friday.
Baggies Bouncing after Big Win
West Brom produced one of the most eye-catching performances of the early season when thrashing Sheffield United 4-0 on Wednesday, with new boss Valerien Ismael’s direct and high-pressing approach proving effective.
The Baggies are yet to taste defeat this season and they will certainly take plenty of confidence into Saturday’s trip to Ewood Park to face a Blackburn side that have only won one of the last six clashes between the two teams.
Like Albion, Blackburn have started the season by taking seven points from a possible nine, but some underlining fragilities may have been exposed when they were beaten on home soil by League One Morecambe in the first round of the Carabao Cup.
Rovers are unlikely to sustain their strong start to the new league season, but Albion will expect to be challenging at the top throughout and perhaps look the value option at 5/4 to emerge victorious.
Coventry to Make Home Advantage Count
After spending last season playing their home fixtures at Birmingham’s St Andrew’s ground, Coventry have now returned home to the newly-named Coventry Building Society Arena.
The Sky Blues won their first match back at the venue against Nottingham Forest and they will now be looking to make it two league wins from two on home soil when Reading visit on Saturday.
Coventry are unbeaten in their last three home meetings with Reading, including last season’s 3-2 victory at St Andrew’s, while the Royals have not won on the road at all since March – a run of six fixtures.
It has certainly been a tough start to the season for Reading, as they have lost three of their opening four games across all competitions, and it appears things will not get any easier this weekend, with Coventry priced at 23/20 to claim the spoils.
*All odds correct at time of writing
