So here we go for season 2022/23 and the Robins’ eighth consecutive Championship campaign. The West Country club have managed to keep hold of all of their key players this summer and added several smart acquisitions on free transfers (with just training compensation paid to Forest Green Rovers for Kane Wilson) to boost supporters’ hopes that Nigel Pearson’s side can be a dark horse to make the top six this coming campaign.
The bookies don’t see too much chance of success for Bristol City but there is likely to be improvement on last year’s 17th league placing. The question might be how much improvement. Only six teams scored more than City’s 62 goals, and three of those were promoted. But the problem was the other end: only two sides conceded more than City’s 77.
A fine pre-season, new signings in key positions and the retention of the stars means that the club should head in the right direction, all starting at Hull City on Saturday. Anything less than a mid-table finish could heap pressure on Pearson and would disappoint given the string of young talents on the books at Ashton Gate.
It begins in Humberside on Saturday afternoon and already there are some things to contend with such as injuries to Antoine Semenyo and Tomas Kalas, who are set to miss the season opener and the first part of the season.
Fortunately City’s transfer business has them primed and ready for the season ahead. Below is how we think City will line up at the MKM Stadium come 14:00 on Saturday, July 30.
Predicted finish: 12th.
9. CAM: Mark Skyes
With Antoine Semenyo missing due to injury (and not expected back until September according to Pearson) there is another opening in attack. Arguably 19-year-old Tommy Conway has caught the eye in pre-season with three goals while Nahki Wells has merit too. But Sykes has started every pre-season game (bar Plymouth away; and Exeter having played just before) and has impressed in all of them. His energy and versatility could be decisive factors. | Getty Images Photo: Alex Burstow/Getty Images
10. ST: Chris Martin
Scored the only goal of the game in the win over Bournemouth at the weekend and despite missing the pre-season trip to Austria, he remains an important player. A focal, physical point for the attack, but also an important defender on clearing aerial balls on set-pieces. | Getty Images Photo: Harry Trump/Getty Images
11. ST: Andi Weimann
Last season’s top scorer is the key player for Bristol City, and Hull will need to find a way to quiet the Austrian who was only bettered by Mitrovic and Solanke in both scoring and assisting last campaign. How many goals will he get this year? | Fever Pitch Photo: Fever Pitch