We're backing a win for Frank Lampard's Coventry tonight - 25% of teams finishing 5th have been promoted in the last 20 years.
20:00 Friday
Coventry under Frank Lampard welcome Sunderland in this Championship PlayOff semi-final.
Coventry vs Sunderland Prediction
- Coventry bounced back from consecutive league defeats to punch their ticket to the playoffs on the final day, beating Middlesbrough 2-0 thanks to a brace from attacking midfielder Jack Rudoni.
- The Sky Blues will be happy to start this semi-final on home turf, as Frank Lampard's men have won seven of their last eight, and 11 of their last 14 at the Coventry Building Society Arena.
- There is no shortage of question marks surrounding Sunderland heading into the play-off campaign.
- A full-strength side was beaten 1-0 at home by a QPR side with nothing to play for on the final day, meaning Regis Le Bris' men travel to Coventry looking to end a run of five consecutive Championship defeats.
- At their best, the visitors are formidable opponents, but their form is cause for concern heading into Friday's game.
Score Prediction: Coventry 2-0 Sunderland
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Coventry vs Sunderland Lineups
Coventry vs Sunderland predicted lineups are brought to you by WhoScored.com.
Coventry Predicted Lineup vs Sunderland
Wilson, Bidwell, Kitching, Thomas, Ewijk, Sheaf, Grimes, Wright, Rudoni, Sakamoto, Simms
Sunderland Predicted Lineup vs Coventry
Patterson, Cirkin, O'Nien, Ballard, Hume, Neil, Bellingham, Fée, Rigg, Roberts, Mayenda
Coventry vs Sunderland Team News
- Frank Lampard has a difficult decision to make between the sticks with Ben Wilson and Bradley Collins competing for a starting berth on Friday.
- Winger Ephron Mason-Clark is facing a battle to return to fitness in time to feature during the playoff campaign.
- Lampard could opt for the same starting XI that beat Middlesbrough on the final day.
- Regis Le Bris could make a defensive change for the first leg of this playoff semi-final, with Dan Ballard replacing Chris Mepham at centre-back.
- Eliezer Mayenda has been preferred to Wilson Isidor lately, despite the latter being Sunderland's top scorer this season.
- Ian Poveda and Aji Alese have a small chance of featuring at some point during this play-off campaign.
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Coventry vs Sunderland Odds
| Result | Odds | Implied Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Coventry | 11/8 | 42% |
| Draw | 31/14 | 31% |
| Sunderland | 12/5 | 29% |
Coventry vs Sunderland Bet Builder Tips
Our Bet Builder tips for Coventry vs Sunderland features Both Teams to Score - No, Matt Grimes to Be Carded & Jack Rudoni To Score.
At the time of publishing it is a best price of 70/1 with bet365.
- Sunderland have struggled offensively, scoring just one goal in their last five matches, with four of those losses being to nil. Coventry have kept clean sheets in four of their last five home wins, including a 3-0 victory over Sunderland in March 2025. Only five of Coventry’s 18 matches against top-ten teams this season saw both teams score, and Sunderland’s 50% BTTS rate against similar opposition suggests a low-scoring, cautious play-off game
- Coventry’s attacking midfielder Jack Rudoni has been in top form, scoring both goals in their 2-0 win over Middlesbrough on the final day and contributing 9 goals and 12 assists this season and has three in their last four games. He’s had a shot on target in all but three of his last 15 appearances since February. Sunderland’s recent defensive struggles (conceding 0.5+ goals in their last five) make Rudoni likely to test the keeper at home.
- Coventry’s midfielder Matt Grimes often commits fouls in high-pressure games to break up play. He has nine yellow cards this season and has been booked in two of his last four games. Sunderland’s mobile midfielders, like Jobe Bellingham and Enzo Le Fee, are likely to draw fouls. Grimes has committed at least one foul in his last four games, and the play-off intensity should see him involved defensively
