Coventry City v Sunderland: probable line-ups, prediction and odds
2VS3Predicted score
SunderlandFinal 3 – 1
Probable line-ups
Coventry4-2-3-1Sunderland4-2-3-1The match setting
Coventry City welcome Sunderland to the Coventry Building Society Arena on Saturday for a Premier League clash at the bottom of the table.
The Sky Blues are 19th with six points after eight matchdays, just one point ahead of 20th-placed Sunderland.
Coventry took six points against Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United in late September and early October, but have lost two league games in a row, including a 1-0 defeat to Fulham on 24 October.
Frank Lampard's men have lost four of their five games at home this season, including three of their four Premier League outings at the stadium.
Sunderland are going through a disastrous spell, with only one point taken from the last fifteen available in the league, that point coming from a 0-0 draw with Leeds United on 25 October.
The visitors have nevertheless won twice and drawn once in three Europa League games, and reached the quarter-finals of the League Cup by beating Brentford 3-2 on Wednesday.
For Coventry, centre-back Bobby Thomas is doubtful after being substituted in the 60th minute against Fulham, with manager Lampard not yet knowing the extent of his injury.
For Sunderland, centre-back Omar Alderete is doubtful after being substituted in the second half against Brentford, although he appears to have taken a blow to the face rather than suffered a muscle injury.
Daniel Ballard remains out for the visitors.
The 3 key points
- 1.Coventry have struggled to create danger at home this season, failing to score three times at the stadium in the leagueWhile Sunderland have taken only one point from the last fifteen available in the league.
- 2.Both teams are stuck at the bottom of the table with only one point between themThe battle for survival looks set to be tight.
- 3.Sunderland arrive on the back of Wednesday's 3-2 League Cup win against BrentfordWhile Coventry have lost two in a row.
The Teacher's verdict
Sunderland approach this trip with confidence after their midweek win against Brentford, while Coventry are struggling to find attacking solutions at home. The visitors, despite their disastrous league record, have shown they can compete on the continental stage and could take advantage of the Sky Blues' defensive weaknesses. Coventry have rarely offered enough of a threat at home this season, and their inability to create chances regularly could allow the Black Cats to leave with all three points. The final score should go Sunderland's way. Coventry City 2-3 Sunderland.
Predicted score
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