Bristol City will open their 2018/19 Carabao Cup campaign on Tuesday evening in BS3 as they welcome League One Plymouth Argyle to Ashton Gate.
After back-to-back draws to commence the season, Lee Johnson’s side will be looking to emulate last year’s Carabao Cup opener – where they came out 5-0 winners.
City once again lacked attacking presence on Saturday afternoon with Mo Eisa and Matty Taylor both being left on the substitutes bench. Eisa will be expected to make his full league debut on Tuesday with the likes of Andreas Weimann expected to be rested with him being key to upcoming matches in the league phase. The former Cheltenham Town striker was inches away from finding the back of the net last time out against Bolton with his effort being deflected just on the outside of the post.
Lloyd Kelly should start at left-back after a terrific performance against Bolton Wanderers, though, he could be forced out of the team by new-signing Jay Dasilva, who joined from Chelsea on a season-long loan deal.
City have lost just three times in the last eleven meetings with Plymouth, with that record going back to Christmas 2002. That included a 5-0 battering this time last season as City enjoyed a comfortable victory over Plymouth en route to the semi-finals of the cup competition.
It was a successful campaign for Johnson’s side last time around, as the team pulled off wins over the likes of Stoke City, Crystal Palace, Watford and the mighty Manchester United before being pegged down by the unbeatable at times Manchester City.
Plymouth shouldn’t be too much of a threat for The Robins as they are yet to win in League One this season after a 2-1 defeat to Walsall in the season opener before a 1-1 draw with Southend United on Saturday afternoon but they came close to gaining a play-off spot last season, with City defender Zak Vyner being essential to that run.
Ryan Taylor is likely to start up top for Plymouth after bagging just nine goals last season in over 35 appearances. The 30-year-old endured a three-year spell at Bristol City, scoring just twice for the club in 39 appearances. Arsenal loanee Matt Macey could start in goal for South West side. The 23-year-old made his debut for The Gunners last October during a dramatic 2-1 extra-time victory over Norwich.
If there was to be no winner after 90 minutes in BS3, the game will go straight to penalties, to avoid replays being caused. Bristol City will be heavy favourites for the Carabao Cup clash and Plymouth may struggle to hold up a viable fight at the newly-developed Ashton Gate.
Prediction: 4-0 – City will be far too much for Plymouth in my opinion and I don’t think it will be as emphatic as last season’s clash, however The Robins we come out comfortable winners. I could see a Mo Eisa masterclass on Tuesday evening in Bristol.
Bristol City Predicted Lineup: Niki Maenpaa, Eros Pisano, Adam Webster, Nathan Baker, Lloyd Kelly, Nicolas Eliasson, Korey Smith, Marlon Pack, Marley Watkins, Jamie Patterson, Mo Eisa
Plymouth Correspondent Tom’s Predicted Lineup: Matt Macey, Ashley Smith-Brown, Ryan Edwards, Scott Wootton, Joe Riley, Jamie Ness, David Fox, Conor Grant, Graham Carey, Ruben Lameiras, Ryan Taylor
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