With Newcastle’s first win in the Championship now under their belt, it’s time to see how they will fare against a Bristol City side that is come out of the gates fairly strong. Let’s take a look at what Newcastle has in store for them on Saturday.
Bristol City sits in eighth on the league table currently, with six points via a pair of wins with one loss. They’re coming off a loss on Tuesday at the hands of Norwich City, but that is after a pair of 2-1 wins of Burton and Wigan.
With a trio of goals, Tammy Abraham is their top scorer, and understandably their biggest asset. The 18-year-old is on loan from Chelsea, with the loan going through just days before the start of the season. Even with his youthfulness, his speed and tremendous first-touch ability will be an interesting test for the still-developing back line of Newcastle.
Though just three games into the season, Bristol hasn’t allowed more than a goal in each of their games, which makes for interesting timing for a Newcastle team fresh off a 4-1 pounding of Reading. To be able to put up even half as many goals against a team that’s establishing itself as a stout defensive force by and large would be a huge step in the right direction for a previously offensively-inept team.
To put some context into the current state of Newcastle, at three points, a win would most certainly catapult them from 17th into the top half of the table. Despite the slow start, the iron is still quite hot and Tyneside can absolutely strike and capitalize — but now is the time to do that.
The top four teams have a share of first with seven points, so some well-timed wins and even draws can have Newcastle brushing elbows with some of the top dogs in the Championship.