City v Boro: promotion charge meets mid-table climb | OneFootball

Bristol City host Middlesbrough in the Championship at Ashton Gate on Saturday, 20 December 2025, with the visitors sitting in the automatic promotion places and the hosts aiming to climb the table.

Bristol City won the last meeting at Ashton Gate in February, beating Middlesbrough 2-1. This game pits 11th against second and carries real weight before the festive run.

City have one win in five, including a draw with Leicester, while Boro arrive on a surge after four victories in five.

City are without Joseph Williams, Mark Sykes, Zak Vyner, Max Bird, Luke McNally and George Tanner. Boro list Darragh Lenihan, Dael Fry and Aidan Morris as injured.

Boro average 55% possession with 83.97% passing accuracy and have scored 33 goals, so they may look to control the ball. The Robins have produced 252 open play crosses at 24.60% accuracy, with six headed goals and two from set pieces, and could look to exploit that route. Morgan Whittaker has eight league goals, while Anis Mehmeti has six goals and six assists.

A win would move City to 33 points and could lift them towards the play-off picture. Victory would take Boro to 45 points and strengthen their grip on the automatic promotion places.