Leeds United and Sheff Wed hero name-drops Bristol City as Championship surprise package

Bristol City have been tipped to be one of the surprise packages in the Championship this season.

The Robins have done some impressive early transfer business, and have are hoping to assemble a squad that are capable of challenging for promotion. Nigel Pearson is hoping that the arrivals of Rob Dickie, Ross McCrorie, Haydon Roberts and Jason Knight can help make up the 10-point gap which separated them and a top six spot.

The club have not been in the play-offs since the 2007/08 season, and the closest that they’ve gotten since is finishing eighth in the 2018/19 campaign under Lee Johnson Top flight football has alluded the club since 1980, and they have yet to play in the Premier League after its formation in 1992.

But that could all change, as Nigel Pearson’s former Sheffield Wednesday teammate Carlton Palmer believes that they can be in the mix, and has backed them to do well along with newly promoted Ipswich Town and Stoke City.

In an interview with Football League World, Palmer said: “The Championship of late has been pretty strong and competitive and on any given day, anyone can beat anyone," Palmer said.

"With five games to go last season, you could go down to 13th place and still get in the play-offs.

"This season I suspect all three teams relegated from the Premier League will be in running for automatic.

"Surprise packages, I think Ipswich, Bristol City and Stoke will all have good seasons."

Bristol City’s 2023/24 Championship campaign starts on Saturday, August 5 against Preston North End. The club are giving the opportunity to Season Ticket holders to bring two friends for £15 each in all areas of the stadium in the hope of a big crowd in their opening game.

Meanwhile, Tommy Conway has been tipped to be the top scorer for the club this season. He got 12 goals and four assists in all competitions, and is the leading striker for the Robins in the Championship top scorer odds with his chances ranked against the likes of Sunderland, Leeds Utd & Leicester City strikers.