Bristol City end winless streak with victory at Rotherham 

English football’s second tier returned to action on December 10th following the World Cup-enforced winter break, and it was a happy return for Bristol City. The Robins ran out 3-1 winners away at Rotherham United courtesy of goals from Joseph Williams and Cameron Pring, as well as a Wes Harding own goal. The result saw the Robins snap their six-game winless streak and leapfrog the hosts in the Championship table. Oddschecker, which compares football odds and free offers, has increased the odds on Nigel Pearson’s side being relegated and, hopefully, the victory can see the Ashton Gate club rise up the league standings.

City made the 180-mile journey north in a less than optimistic mood. Before the international break, the Robins were without a win since October’s 2-0 victory away at West Bromwich Albion, and had scored just three goals in the six games since. The Millers, meanwhile, were coming off the back of some impressive performances. They were narrowly beaten by promotion-chasing Burnley – who required two injury-time goals to secure the victory at Turf Moor on November 2nd – and then Norwich City prior to the break.

They did get their rewards for their efforts in those games shortly after however. Matt Taylor’s side picked up a huge 1-0 victory away at local rivals Sheffield United on November 8th, their first win at Bramall Lane in 42 years. Then they almost clung on to a 1-0 victory away at Luton Town, but Luke Berry’s last-gasp equalizer ensured that the hosts earned a share of the spoils.

With that being said, the Millers will have been placed in coupons up and down the country on Saturday morning, but it was Pearson’s side who prevailed, and they will now be looking onwards and upwards. For Rotherham, they will now be looking over their shoulder. They’re just two points above the Championship’s relegation zone at the season’s halfway point.

What’s next for the Robins? 
The victory couldn’t have come at a better time for Nigel Pearson’s men, and they should be able to build on the result with some more than winnable fixtures on the horizon. They host West Bromwich Albion at Ashton Gate on Boxing Day, which will provide a stern test. The Baggies have improved considerably since the dismissal of Steve Bruce back in October.

Carlos Corberán was appointed as manager on October 22nd. His new side slipped to a 2-0 defeat to Sheffield United at The Hawthorns in his first game in charge, but since then have won four on the spin. Home victories against Blackpool and Stoke City, as well as wins away at Queen’s Park Rangers and high-flying Sunderland, have seen the Baggies’ relegation worries eased. During those four wins, Corberán’s side has conceded just one goal. City will have their work cut out to give their fans some festive cheer.

Pearson’s side then face back-to-back away days, firstly at Millwall and then away at Coventry City. The Sky Blues are a club in turmoil at the moment and are embroiled in a bitter dispute with the owner of their stadium, Mike Ashley. They could once again be exiled from their city. In recent years, they have been forced to play games at Birmingham City’s St. Andrews, as well as Northampton Town’s Sixfields. Should a similar situation arise before the Robins’ trip north on New Year’s Day, they could well be set to take full advantage.

In the new year, Birmingham and Blackburn Rovers both head to Ashton Gate, and the pair are fixtures that Pearson should be eyeing up as potential victories. The Blues are currently in midtable alongside City, while Rovers have been one of the division’s more inconsistent sides. As things stand, they are currently third in the league, but three defeats in their last four have seen them fall away from the division’s summit.

The Championship is the closest it has been for many a year this term. Just ten points separate the relegation zone and the playoffs, and if Bristol City can string a few wins together, who knows how far that may take them.