The second semi-final of the Sky Bet Championship play-offs gets underway on Friday night when Coventry City play host to Sunderland at the CBS Arena in what is a huge clash between two of the more watchable sides in the division.
It looks like Sheffield United are in the final and we might go closer to determining who they could face at Wembley Stadium over the course of this evening as these two battle it out ahead of the second leg on Tuesday.
Where to watch
The match will be shown live and in full on the Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football channels with the build-up to the contest beginning at 7pm ahead of the 8pm kick off.
Coventry City
When you consider where Coventry City were when Frank Lampard took over this season, for them to not only be in the play-offs but expected by many to come out on top in this tie, they deserve an inordinate amount of credit. The foundation of the run which has got them into the top five in the table has been their home form so they will know that this is a big night for their chances of progressing in the tie and very much an advantage for this 90 minutes.
Coventry have won 10 of the last 12 at the CBS Arena with only the automatically promoted pair of Leeds United and Burnley leaving with anything in that spell. Coventry have built up a real head of steam at home and the ruthlessness in which they disposed of Middlesbrough here last weekend when they had to win to ensure their play-off spot tells us that they will be ready for this challenge. Coventry have plenty of attacking options which should bode well for them.
Sunderland
In many ways, Sunderland have been victims of their own success this season. They have been in the top four throughout the campaign but probably never really had enough within them to mount an automatic promotion challenge given the strength of the top three, and that was certainly the case when injuries began to bite. As a result of that, they have been in limbo for the past two months knowing that they would be in this semi-final but having nothing else to play for.
Somewhat predictably, their form has suffered as a result of that. Regis Le Bris has chosen to use recent matches to rotate his stock and ensure that his players are fresh for this tie but it has meant that they go into this one with no win in six, five defeats on the spin and only one goal in those matches. If you are of a Sunderland persuasion then you are hoping and praying that the class they showed earlier in the season returns here and not a continuation of their recent performances.
Special Offer
Sign up for a Boylesports account and bet £10 to get up to £20 in free bets! Perfect offer for the Sky Bet Championship! Click the image below for this great offer! New accounts only. 18+ T&Cs apply. Gamble Aware.
Team News
Coventry City remain without Oliver Dovin who is out for the season. Ben Wilson is expected to keep his place after keeping a clean sheet in the win over Middlesbrough last week. Jay DaSilva returns from suspension for this match.
Regis Le Bris has suggested that he has a fully fit squad to choose from so we should expect to see Sunderland at full strength here with the likes of Enzo le Fee, Wilson Isidor and Jobe Bellingham all returning to the side.
Betting
I think Sunderland will win this tie but whether they win the first leg I’m less certain. I do think they are the better team and they are my pick to win the play-offs but you have to respect the Coventry home record and with that in mind I think I am going to go with both teams to score in this match. In many ways, using recent data to judge this match is both difficult and silly because Sunderland haven’t been at it at all while they wait for this semi-final to come along.
To be fair, anything we expect from Sunderland in this tie is based on their pre-March international break form rather than anything since then but when you look at this side man for man it is very strong, especially in the attacking areas, although perhaps not as strong as they would like at the back. Coventry will surely go for it in this first leg because with their away record they won’t want to have to win at the Stadium of Light but Sunderland have real quality to pick them off if they leave themselves exposed. This is a fascinating first leg but just under even money on two classy offenses to find the back of the net feels like the right play to me.
Tips
Back Both teams to score for a 3/10 stake at 1.95 with Unibet
Be the first to comment on "Sky Bet Championship 2024-25 Play-Offs – Coventry vs Sunderland Tips, TV and Betting Preview"