Wolves Face Bristol City in FA Cup Third Round Amid Injury Concerns

Wolverhampton Wanderers will travel to Ashton Gate to face Bristol City in the FA Cup third round on Saturday, January 11, 2025, as both teams aim to advance in the historic competition. The match comes amid injury concerns for Wolves, who are looking to bounce back from a recent Premier League defeat.

Bristol City, currently competing in the Championship, have been in strong form at home, winning four of their last five matches at Ashton Gate. Head coach Liam Manning emphasized the importance of continuing their momentum, saying, ‘We want to keep building on our recent performances and make the most of our home advantage.’ The Robins have a solid record in FA Cup third-round ties, having progressed in four of their last six attempts, including victories over Premier League sides Huddersfield Town and West Ham United in recent years.

Wolves, under new head coach Vitor Pereira, have had mixed results since his arrival, with two wins, one draw, and one loss in their last four Premier League matches. Pereira acknowledged the challenges posed by injuries, stating, ‘We have players working hard to recover, but some will not be available for this match.’ Key absentees include Toti Gomes, Nelson Semedo, and Craig Dawson, all sidelined with injuries. However, midfielder Andre Gomes has returned to training and could feature.

Historically, Wolves have had the upper hand in this fixture, winning their last two FA Cup encounters against Bristol City by 1-0 margins. The Old Gold, four-time FA Cup winners, last lifted the trophy in 1960. Despite their recent struggles in the competition, Pereira remains optimistic, saying, ‘We respect Bristol City, but we are focused on our game and advancing in the cup.’

Bristol City will be without several key players due to injury, including Rob Atkinson, Ayman Benarous, and George Tanner. However, Manning confirmed that Tommy Conway and Mark Sykes are back in training and could play a role. Wolves, meanwhile, will miss Matheus Cunha due to suspension, but Pereira hinted at giving opportunities to younger players, saying, ‘This is a chance for some of our younger talents to show what they can do.’

With both teams set to field competitive lineups, the match promises to be a closely contested affair. Bristol City’s strong home form and Wolves’ injury woes could tip the scales in favor of the Championship side, but Pereira’s men will be determined to avoid an early exit from the competition.