The Sky Blues get their Carabao Cup campaign underway tonight, as they host Bristol City at the Pirelli Stadium in the First Round of the competition.
Fact File
Founded: 1894
Stadium: Ashton Gate
Capacity: 27,000
Nickname: The Robins
Address: Ashton Road, Bristol BS3 2EJ
The Opposition
A disappointing start to the Championship sees the Robins sat 23rd currently in the league after back-to-back defeats.
Bristol City started the season at the KCOM Stadium, but after taking the lead, they were quickly pegged back, before falling behind.
Sunderland were the visitors in their first game at Ashton Gate of the season, but after coming from behind and taking the lead, the Black Cats bounced back and came away with all three points.
Nigel Pearson enters his second full season in charge of the Robins and will be hoping to improve on the last two finishes of 19th and 17th.
The Manager: Nigel Pearson
Taking the reins at Ashton Gate in February 2021, Nigel Pearson is currently in his 9th permanent spell as a football manager.
A defender in his playing days, Pearson made over 500 career appearances, representing Shrewsbury Town, Sheffield Wednesday and Middlesbrough, before earning his first managerial role, taking the helm at Carlisle United.
He would keep Carlisle in the Football League thanks to goalkeeper Jimmy Glass, who scored an injury time goal against Plymouth Argyle.
Departing United in 1999, Pearson went down the path of Assistant Management, firstly with West Bromwich Albion and then with Newcastle United.
At both Newcastle and West Brom, as well as England Under-21s, Pearson had caretaker roles, before returning to full-time management with Southampton.
A brief spell with the Saints was followed by a first of two spells in charge of Leicester, with a period in charge of Hull City sandwiched in between.
It was in his second spell with the Foxes Pearson is fondly remembered for, as he won the Championship title with Leicester and then the following season performed the great escape to keep them in the division.
Departing the King Power Stadium in 2015, Pearson went on to take charge of Derby County, Oud-Heverlee Leuven, Watford and then his current role at Ashton Gate.
Last Time We Met
The Sky Blues completed the league double over Bristol City the last time the two sides met, thanks to a late Viktor Gyokeres strike.
City took the lead just before the break when Ian Maatsen drilled a superb strike past Bentley in the Bristol City goal.
The Robins pulled level midway through the second half, but they couldn’t hold on and the Sky Blues came away with all three points thanks to Viktor’s goal in the 89th minute.
Sky Blues XI: Simon Moore (GK), Todd Kane (Fankaty Dabo 82’), Dom Hyam, Kyle McFadzean©, Jake Clarke-Salter, Jake Bidwell, Jamie Allen, Gustavo Hamer, Ian Maatsen (Jordan Shipley 82’), Callum O’Hare, Viktor Gyokeres.
Unused Subs: Ben Wilson (GK), Michael Rose, Ben Sheaf, Martyn Waghorn, Fabio Tavares.
Head-to-Head Record
Sky Blues wins: 25
Draws: 22
Bristol City wins: 23
Club Connection: Matty James
Former Sky Blues loanee Matty James joined Bristol City at the start of the 2021/22 season, after a successful spell with City at the back end of the 2019/20 campaign.
Matty began his career coming through the youth academy at Manchester United, enjoying his first taste of professional football during two loan spells at Preston North End.
He would depart Old Trafford in 2012, joining Leicester City on a permanent deal, a stay which would last nine years.
Unfortunately for Matty, injuries would cut short his playing time over that period, but he would still make over 100 appearances, helping the Foxes win the Championship title and helping them stay in the top flight the season after.
As James looked to get back to full fitness, he would join Barnsley on loan for a second time in 2020, a move which would reignite his career.
James made 15 appearances at Oakwell before joining the Sky Blues and adding another 24 appearances, scoring three goals as helped City retain their Championship status.
His bright spell with the Sky Blues attracted interest from around the Championship and eventually after departing Leicester, James joined Bristol City in 2021, where he has made 32 appearances to date.
Match Officials
Peter Wright will take charge of Coventry's first game of the season.
Stephen Wade and Anthony Da Costa are set to assist on linesman duties with Christopher Husband operating as the fourth official.