MX23RW : Monday, December 23 03:50:57| >> :120:17918:17918:
[monks data]
Coventry City
Championship | Gameweek 36
Mar 11, 2023 at 3pm UK
Ricoh Arena
Hull logo

Coventry
1 - 1
Hull City

Godden (71')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Estupinan (52')

Preview: Coventry City vs. Hull City - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Championship clash between Coventry City and Hull City, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Coventry City will be hoping to continue their assault on the Championship playoff positions when they host Hull City at The Coventry Building Society Arena on Saturday afternoon.

A drastic upturn in form for the Sky Blues has left them within striking distance of the top six, whereas Hull will be looking to record back-to-back wins as they aim for a top-half finish.


Match preview

Coventry City manager Mark Robbins on August 27, 2022© Reuters

After a January transfer window that suggested the club's hierarchy were content with waiting for next season to challenge for promotion, Coventry have enjoyed a brilliant run of results which has supporters dreaming of a trip to Wembley in May.

The Sky Blues are unbeaten in their last six Championship matches - winning four of those games - and have only tasted defeat once in the last eight, with that loss coming against a resurgent West Bromwich Albion side back at the start of February.

The John Smith's Stadium was the destination for Mark Robins's side last Saturday, and the visitors put on a commanding display, beating relegation-threatened Huddersfield Town 4-0 in Coventry's biggest win of the campaign so far.

Once again, Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres was amongst the goals for the West Midlands outfit - bagging a brace in Yorkshire against the Terriers - with the 24-year-old now only four goals behind Chuba Akpom in the second-tier Golden Boot race.

Coventry have earned maximums against playoff hopefuls Millwall and Sunderland in their last two matches at the CBS Arena, and it is fair to say supporters will be expecting their side to complete a hat-trick of home successes on Saturday afternoon.

Hull City manager Liam Rosenior reacts on January 7, 2023© Reuters

The remainder of Hull's season may not contain the excitement of chasing down the top six, but there is an air of cautious optimism around the MKM Stadium under manager Liam Rosenior and an owner who is set to invest considerably in the summer transfer window.

The Tigers recorded their first win in five games last Friday under the lights, with Benjamin Tetteh's first league goal of the season and a Dara O'Shea own goal securing three points at the expense of Carlos Corberan's Albion.

Rosenior's men were happy to allow the visiting Baggies most of the possession in the contest but were more effective in both boxes than their Black Country counterparts, with goalkeeper Karl Darlow earning Player of the Match for managing to keep West Brom at bay.

That maximum last time out made it five matches unbeaten at the MKM Stadium, but Hull's ventures on the road have been less fruitful of late, with the Tigers' last away win coming over two months ago at Wigan Athletic.

Sitting 14th in the Championship standings and with a 13-point buffer from the bottom three, one more win would almost certainly secure Hull's second-tier status for another year - perhaps a top-10 finish will now be the motivation for a Tigers' side marooned in mid-table.

Coventry City Championship form:

Hull City Championship form:


Team News

Oscar Estupinan celebrates scoring for Hull City on August 13, 2022© Reuters

Coventry are continuing to earn regular points despite a mounting injury list, with the absences of attacking midfielders Jamie Allen, Kasey Palmer and Callum O'Hare leaving Robins extremely light in that area of the pitch.

Ben Sheaf and Liam Kelly are also sidelined for the Sky Blues, meaning a midfield duo of Gustavo Hamer and Josh Eccles will have to go again against the Tigers on Saturday.

Ryan Howley impressed during his first-ever Championship start last weekend at Huddersfield, and the 19-year-old should retain his place in the XI behind the aforementioned Gyokeres and Matt Godden.

Hull are also struggling on the injury front ahead of the trip to the West Midlands, with Brighton loanee Aaron Connolly expected to be out until after the international break with a foot injury.

There is better news concerning midfielder Jean Michael Seri - the Ivorian has returned to training this week following a groin injury, although it is unlikely the 31-year-old will feature on Saturday.

Oscar Estupinan leads Hull's goalscoring charts so far with 12 strikes - eight more than any of his teammates - but after Tetteh impressed against West Brom last time out, the Colombian may have to settle for a place amongst the substitutes once again.

Coventry City possible starting lineup:
Wilson; McNally, McFadzean, Doyle; Dabo, Eccles, Hamer, Wilson-Esbrand, Howley; Godden, Gyokeres

Hull City possible starting lineup:
Darlow; Coyle, Jones, McLoughlin, Elder; Simons, Longman, Docherty, Tufan, Slater; Tetteh


SM words green background

We say: Coventry City 2-0 Hull City

With the season reaching its business end, Coventry are firmly in the playoff race and will be aiming for all three points against Hull on Saturday to potentially move into seventh.

Rosenior's Tigers were rewarded for a resolute display against West Brom a week ago, but we see the dangerous Gyokeres firing the Sky Blues to the win in this one.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 2.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 2.5:data


ID:508555:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect12449:
Written by
Carter White

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: Coventry vs Hull City

Coventry City
60.5%
Draw
23.7%
Hull City
15.8%
38
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Sheffield United's Billy Sharp celebrates scoring against Wrexham on February 7, 2023
Read Next:
Saturday's Championship predictions including Sheffield United vs. Watford
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd22155232112148
2Leeds UnitedLeeds22136341152645
3Burnley2212822891944
4Sunderland22127334181643
5Blackburn RoversBlackburn2111462518737
6Middlesbrough22105738281035
7West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom22811326161035
8Watford2110473028234
9Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds229582830-232
10Millwall217772118328
11Swansea CitySwansea227692424027
12Bristol City226972628-227
13Norwich CityNorwich226883734326
14Queens Park RangersQPR2251072328-525
15Luton TownLuton2274112538-1325
16Derby CountyDerby2266102728-124
17Coventry CityCoventry2266102834-624
18Preston North EndPreston2241172229-723
19Stoke CityStoke2257102330-722
20Portsmouth204882535-1020
21Hull City2247112131-1019
22Cardiff CityCardiff2146111934-1518
23Oxford UnitedOxford Utd2146112137-1618
24Plymouth ArgylePlymouth2146112245-2318


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!