What channel is Bristol City v West Bromwich Albion on? Kick-off time, TV & stream details, latest team news

Bristol City entertain West Bromwich Albion Ashton Gate in the EFL Championship in the final game before the last international break of the season.

A 2-0 defeat to Barnsley in midweek was another missed opportunity to claim back to back wins for the first time.

A win could take City above Cardiff, whilst both Birmingham City and Hull could overtake them if results don’t go in their favour with a possible drop to 20th. A win for the side from the Midlands, could only move them up to 11th.

A total of 10 points and six places separate the Baggies and City but the visitors do have a game in hand.

When does the match start?

The game will kick off at Ashton Gate Stadium at 15.00 on Saturday afternoon.

What’s the latest team news for Bristol City?

Midfielder Joe Williams has been ruled out for the next three weeks after suffering another hamstring injury. Fortunately he won’t miss too much as the next few weeks will be international matches.

Tomas Kalas isn’t going to play a part in this match with the defender set for an extended rest after three years of playing non-stop football. He hasn’t been called for international duty for the Czech Republic.

Wing-back Callum O’Dowda isn’t returning for this one, but is making steady progress.

After being substituted in midweek following injury scares, Antoine Semenyo and Alex Scott have come through unscathed but Scott will be assessed closer to the match.

Ayman Benarous and Max O’Leary missed Tuesday’s match through Covid but O’Leary has begun training again and they have been isolated from the squad.

What’s the latest team news for West Brom?

January signing Daryl Dike is close to returning to action and could at least be named as a substitute against City.

Experienced forward Andy Carroll is a major doubt after picking up a minor knock. First-choice goalkeeper Sam Johnstone has been ill during the week but is expected to get through that to feature against City.

Republic of Ireland striker Callum Robinson possesses a good record against Bristol and has scored six Football League goals against them, the most in his career.

West Brom’s top scorer this season is Karlan Ahearne-Grant with 13 goals in 36 appearances this season. Strike partnership Callum Robinson has created the most goals in their team with eight assists to his name.

Form guide and head-to-head

There have been 53 meetings between the two sides with West Brom coming out on top on 23 occasions, whilst there have been 15 draws and also 15 draws for City.

City don’t hold the best record against them in recent years as in their last three matches, West Brom have won them by three goals, with two consecutive 3-0 defeats and a 4-1 loss in November 2019.

News that might frighten the fragile defence is that West Brom have scored two goals or more in their last 13 matches with City and have replicated that in their last five matches.

Should West Brom win then they would claim consecutive away league wins at Ashton Gate for the first time since April 1977. West Brom don’t hold the greatest form on the road and they haven only once since March 2020 won back-to-back away league games.

The last meeting between the two was a 3-0 win back in October with Jordan Hugill, Kyle Bartley and Grant all on target.

Referee

Leigh Doughty has been appointed as the referee for the match and he will be assisted by Craig Taylor and Adrian Waters, whilst Ollie Yates is the fourth official. Doughty has refereed City two times this season with the Robins beating Middlesbrough last month and Queens Park Rangers back in September.

How to watch the match

This match is being played during broadcast blackout hours in the United Kingdom, so fans based here won’t be able to watch it on a stream.

Highlights will become available on Sky Sports from the full-time whistle, whilst EFL on Quest will air on Quest TV and Discovery+ from 21.00.