Bristol City vs Portsmouth in Championship on Jan 1

Bristol City will host Portsmouth at Ashton Gate Stadium on Thursday, January 1, 2026, in an EFL Championship match that kicks off at 3 p.m. GMT, as both teams seek to shape their seasons early in the new year. The Robins, sitting eighth with 36 points from 24 games, aim to reclaim momentum in their playoff chase after a recent setback, while the visitors from 21st place battle to escape the relegation zone.

Bristol City entered 2026 on the back of mixed results, having secured victories over Middlesbrough and West Bromwich Albion around the Christmas period before suffering a 2-1 defeat at Millwall on Monday. That loss dropped them two points behind the top six, ending a brief two-game winning streak. Under manager Gerhard Struber, the team has shown resilience at home, remaining unbeaten in three of their last four outings there with two wins and a draw. Last season marked a milestone for the Robins, as they reached the playoffs for the first time in 17 years, finishing sixth before a 6-0 semifinal loss to Sheffield United. Seven points separate them from the second-place automatic promotion spot, fueling hopes of a stronger push this campaign.