Wasted free-kick from Millwall is clipped into the box straight down the middle and Max O'Leary is quick to bowl it out and set the home side away.

The ball is worked through midfield, and Andreas Weimann almost gets in on the left but the visitors cover well, and the subsequent throw is snuffed out easily.

Millwall pump the ball long from a free-kick and from a series of flick-ons the ball almost breaks to Benik Afobe in the six-yard box, but he cannot connect and Max O'Leary gathers.

O'Leary gallops out of his box shortly after to clear a long ball forward, and then claims a Tom Bradshaw cross, as the visitors again get in out wide.

Early signs of the flow of this game suggest Bristol City will pass the ball patiently in possession and wait for a gap to appear.

They're also happy to get the ball forward swiftly, looking for a run in behind with a clip over the top, but Millwall contain that move quickly.

Here we go.

Simon Hooper is our referee today at Ashton Gate.

Image source, Getty Images

Take a look down Millwall's list of results this season and you'll see plenty of metaphorically bloodied noses.

By that, I mean big clubs with big budgets, reputations and squads, who have been roughed up, run ragged and unsettled by Gary Rowett's side.

Sheffield United, Stoke, Bournemouth, and even Coventry last time out. They are always a threat.

Throw in the fact they only had 15 fit players amid Covid issues for the win at Cov, and the spirit is tangible.

Keep an eye out for academy players Nana Boateng and Zak Lovelace - all of whom helped the Lions to victory last time out.

Image source, Getty Images

That's certainly the view of their boss Nigel Pearson, as he attempts to guide Bristol City to the Premier League for the first time.

Of course, older City fans will remember the days of the old First Division and the likes of Gerry Gow and Norman Hunter, and probably Championship play-off final heartbreak a little more recently.

But with the battle for promotion getting tougher and more expensive a prospect every year, Pearson's journey will be a slow-burner.

"Pearson told me that the club are going through 'transition', adding 'there's still considerable work to be done'," BBC Radio Bristol's Richard Hoskin said in BBC Sport's Championship half-term report piece.

"The manager was given a three-year contract in the summer and it's going to take time for City to realistically challenge for the Premier League.

"January will be interesting - with finances tight in these tough times, players will probably have to leave the club in order to bring fresh blood in as Pearson looks to tackle the third-worst defensive record in the Championship."

Image source, PA Media

Two changes for Bristol City, with Ryley Towler and Ayman Benarous coming in for George Tanner and Andy King.

Millwall make a change with Benik Afobe replacing Mason Bennett in the starting XI.

Bristol City: O'Leary, Vyner, Kalas, Towler, Pring, James, Benarous, Scott, O'Dowda, Weimann, Semenyo

Subs: Bentley, Atkinson, Dasilva, Massengo, Conway, Martin, Wells

Millwall: Bialkowski, McNamara, Pearce, Cooper, M. Wallace, Saville, Hutchinson, Mitchell, Ojo, Afobe, Bradshaw

Subs: Long, Malone, Smith, Evans, Boateng, Lovelace

Kick-offs 15:00 GMT unless otherwise stated.

Championship

• Bristol City v Millwall (13:00 GMT)
• Birmingham City v Queens Park Rangers (14:00 GMT)
• Blackburn Rovers v Huddersfield Town (14:00 GMT)
• West Bromwich Albion v Cardiff City (14:00 GMT)

League One

• Morecambe v Doncaster Rovers
• Shrewsbury Town v Sheffield Wednesday

Image source, PA Media

Our first port of call on this Sunday afternoon is the West Country, and Bristol City's Ashton Gate for a 13:00 GMT kick-off with Millwall.

We'll build up to the 14:00 GMT kick-offs at half-time in our opener, but for now, let's crack on with previewing the Robins versus the Lions.

Image source, PA Media

Saying goodbye to 2021 might have been a little difficult for some folk, like Blackburn striker Ben Brereton Diaz. After all, a Chile debut, a joint-record 24 league goals in a calendar year and Rovers in the promotion mix all made for a happy time.

For others, it's a case of thank goodness that's over, and waving in 2022 with some enthusiasm. Bristol City boss Nigel Pearson might well be one of them, having dealt with Covid and stuttering form for parts of last year.

The new year promises much; a time for fresh starts, ambitious resolutions and new regimes.

Football will be no exception. Four Championship games to get through today. Please, do join us.