City v Portsmouth: winless hosts meet away-day winners in early-season push | OneFootball

Bristol City and Portsmouth meet in the Championship at Ashton Gate on Saturday, 29 August 2026, with the hosts chasing a first league win and the visitors aiming to build on last weekend's away victory.

Bristol City thrashed Portsmouth 5-0 at home when the sides last met in January, though Portsmouth won the reverse fixture in November 2025.

City have taken one point from two games, losing to Millwall then drawing 2-2 at Birmingham. Portsmouth split their opening fixtures, losing 3-1 to QPR before winning 3-1 at Lincoln.

The Robins are without Luke McNally. Portsmouth list Joshua Murphy, Connor Ogilvie and Keshi Anderson among several absentees, with goalkeeper Josef Bursik also sidelined.

Portsmouth have averaged 57% possession with 78.16% passing accuracy and delivered 38 crosses from open play at 13.16% accuracy. That supply could suit their runners, with Ebou Adams on a goal and an assist, while Abu Kamara and Terry Devlin have also contributed. City's Rio Cardines has an assist and Dom Ballard has scored once, and their 49 aerial duels won may help against Portsmouth's crossing.

A win would move City to four points and could lift them away from the lower reaches before a trip to Preston on Tuesday. Portsmouth, on three points in 10th, could push towards the play-off places ahead of home games against Derby and Cardiff.