Coventry City vs Oxford United: Prediction, Preview & Betting Tips

Despite the opening day success for Oxford United, we predict it might be a struggle for them away from home against Coventry City with the quality of the Sky Blues squad.

Mark Robins secured the signing of talented winger Ephron Mason-Clark, who is expected to contribute against Oxford United. Mason-Clark scored 14 goals for Peterborough United last season and averaged a goal per game last season, scoring once every 258 minutes.

The Over 2.5 market has landed in six of the previous eight meetings between the two teams, with the BTTS market also landing in the same fixtures. The last meeting between the two teams ended 6-2 last season to Coventry; however, only two goals had decided the four previous results.

For this reason, we are predicting Coventry City will beat Oxford United 2-1. Coventry City 2-1 Oxford United.

The Championship season is underway as the next round of fixtures occur early. Coventry City hopes to bounce back from the result of the opening day as they face a newly promoted side in Oxford United, which will be gleaming following the opening day win over Norwich City.

Date: 16/08/2024

Location: Coventry Building Society Arena

Kick-Off: 8 pm
Despite their league form eventually falling away towards the end of the season, Coventry City enjoyed a brilliant season, however, with good reason. The Sky Blues, under Mark Robins, finished ninth in the Championship, nine points adrift of Norwich City in the final top-six spot. Away from the league form, Coventry City provided one of the season's stories by reaching an FA Cup semi-final and was within one offside decision of claiming a final spot and potentially facing Premier League Champions Manchester City; they were denied and defeated on penalties against Manchester United.

Oxford United was not touted as one of the teams to achieve promotion last season when the season started, with Bolton Wanderers and Peterborough United heavily tipping for a promotion place. Oxford United finished fifth last season, three points clear of seventh-placed Lincoln City. The U’s played Peterborough United in the play-off semi-final and did just enough in the first leg to use that result to progress them to a date at Wembley. Josh Murphy scored twice against Bolton Wanderers in the final to give Oxford United and Murphy (who joined Portsmouth) the perfect departure from League One.
Oxford United faced potential promotion candidates and last season’s play-off semi-finalists Norwich City on the opening day and ran out 2-0 winners thanks to Cameron Brannigan and Mark Harris.

Coventry City Team News

Predicted Starting Eleven: Dovin, Van Ewijk, Thomas, Binks, Bidwell, Rudoni, Allen, Torp, Skamoto, Simms, Mason-Clark.

Oxford United Team News

Ruben Rodrigues received a yellow card in their game against Norwich City.

Predicted Starting Eleven: Cumming, Long, Moore, Brown, Bennett, Vaulks, Goodrham, Rodrigues, Brannagan, Placheta, Harris

The game will be shown on Sky Sports Football.

Based on the recent meetings between the two teams, the Sky Blues have the advantage in this fixture. Coventry have won twice in the last four meetings, including the 6-2 win for Coventry City last season.
Despite our prediction based on squad quality, Coventry still needs to pick up their form ahead of their second game against Oxford United. The Sky Blues have lost three of their previous six games, winning only twice during the pre-season. However, one of their more impressive victories was a 3-0 win over Everton in which former Everton striker Ellis Simms scored.

Coventry City’s home form ultimately cost them in the Championship standings last season. The Sky Blues, under Mark Robins, were ranked tenth in the league for home form after gaining 35 points from 69. Coventry City won nine from 23, drew eight and lost six whilst conceding 27 away on their travels. The added games from the FA Cup would have damaged any play-off hopes, but this time round, Mark Robins will hope to have his Coventry City side in the top six.

The home form will be essential for a newly promoted side, as any opponent would find it easier on their travels. Last season, Oxford United remarkably achieved more excellent away form than home form, ranked seventh in the away standings. Oxford United gained 37 points from 69 last season, having won 11 games, drawn four and losing eight.

Oxford United is in slightly better form than their opponents, having won four of the previous seven games. One of the more notable victories for Oxford, besides the game against Norwich City, was a brilliant 2-0 victory over Southampton thanks to goals from Ruben Rodrigues and Mark Harris.

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