Sheffield will begin another new era this year under Paul Heckinbottom at home against Bristol City on Sunday afternoon with kickoff at 15: 30.
Slavisa Jakonovic would have expected to extend his stay at Bramall Lane following his 1-0 victory against Reading last weekend at away. However that was not the case as a record of 23 points from their 19 matches saw him receive the sack and in his place Paul Heckinbottom was appointed.
Paul will be tasked with stabilizing the teams run form in the Championship hence will be given time to get things right at the club as they have been struggling since the departure of Chris Walder earlier in the year.
Paul’s first challenge will be to work on the side’s home form as Sheffeild have only recorded three wins at Bramall from their last nine matches this season in the Championship, while registering two draws and four defeats in the process. He also want to begin on a positive note hence will go for the three points.
Meanwhile Nigel Pearson will consider himself fortunate tostill keep his job at Bristol City as the Robins have also made a slow and inconsistent campaign this season and have dropped in form and rank comparing to last season’s as the club was number nine with 30 points last year, but now are number 18 with 23 point recorded from a collection of six wins, five draws and eight defeats.
Bristol slipped down the table following a poor run of form of five defeats in six league matches, but a collection of four points from Blackburn Rovers and Stoke City in their last two matches has helped them stabilize things a bit, putting them eight points clear off the relegation zone.
Therefore Nigel will focus on climbing further away from the drop zone and he will expect his side to keep the new fund momentum going in this fixture. However they need some inspiration concerning their away form as the club has recorded three consecutive away defeats and have posted just one win in their last five on the road.
Sheffield vs Bristol head to head
Both sides have met in 21 encounters since 1994 with Sheffield claiming 12 victories while Bristol have claimed eight and there have been one draw.
- Sheffield 1-0 Bristol 10/02/21
- Sheffield 2-3 Bristol 30/03/19
- Bristol 1-0 Sheffield 15/09/18
- Bristol 2-3 Sheffield 06/05/18
- Sheffield 1-2 Bristol 08/12/17
Home
- Reading 0-1 Sheffield
- Sheffield 0-0 Coventry
- Blackburn 3-1 Sheffield
- Nottingham 1-1 Sheffield
- Sheffield 0-1 Blackpool
Away
- Bristol 1-0 Stoke
- Bristol 1-1 Blackburn
- Coventry 3-2 Bristol
- Birmingham 3-0 Bristol
- Bristol 2-1 Barnsley
Sheffield team news
Sheffield will be without John Fleck who collapsed against Reading.
Bristol team news
Bristol will be without Nathan baker who picked up a knock in the midweek fixtures.
Prediction and odds
- Sheffield win
- Draw
- Both sides to score
