Coventry vs Sunderland Prediction, Preview & Betting Tips

The Championship play-offs take place this week, with Frank Lampard’s Coventry City taking on a Sunderland side who have not been in the greatest form heading into this first leg away from home.

Coventry City’s home form has been excellent coming into this game, and it will most certainly give the Sky Blues the advantage against Sunderland, with six league wins at the CBS Arena in their previous seven home games. Interestingly, Coventry City remained unbeaten in the two league meetings between the two sides this season, with a win and a draw against the Black Cats.

As for the visitors, their recent form has been abysmal, as they are unlikely to restore any momentum, having lost their last five consecutive league matches and, even more surprisingly, only scoring once in those five matches.

Sunderland have allowed themselves to be complacent in recent weeks. With Coventry City gaining momentum in the season's final weeks, this should be a home win against Sunderland for Frank Lampard’s side.

Coventry City recorded a 3-0 home win against the Black Cats in the home meeting this season. However, this time we think a 2-0 win for the Sky Blues is the likely outcome.

Coventry City 2-0 Sunderland.

The first leg of the Championship semi-finals takes place this week, as Coventry City host Sunderland at the CBS Arena.

Date: 09/05/2025
Location: CBS Arena, Coventry.
Kick-Off: 8 pm

Coventry City’s decision to remove popular manager, Mark Robins and replace him with former Derby County, Everton and Chelsea manager, Frank Lampard, has proven to be a masterstroke for the Midlands club. Since his appointment, Lampard has guided the former FA Cup semi-finalists to yet another appearance in the playoffs, with the home side hoping to go one better than their performance in 2023, where they lost out to Luton Town in the final on penalties.

Frank Lampard has enjoyed a magnificent spell at the Sky Blues thus far, even breaking a club record of nine victories in the opening 10 games under Lampard's tenure. Lampard has won 17 of his 31 matches in charge of Coventry City and has averaged 1.77 points per game. Coventry City sealed a play-off spot on the final day of the season, with an excellent 2-0 win against Michael Carrick’s Middlesbrough side, thanks to a brace from Jack Rudoni. The Sky Blues ended the regular campaign, having accumulated 69 points from 46 matches, scoring 64 and conceding 58.

Sunderland were amongst the chasing promotion pack at the turn of the calendar year; however, as the year progressed and Sunderland’s form slumped, the Black Cats had to settle for a spot in the top six. Manager, Regis Le Bris, has still enjoyed a successful season with the visitors, despite the season falling short due to their respective form. The former FC Lorient manager has won 21 matches in charge of Sunderland, achieving 1.58 points per game.

The away side ended the campaign in fourth place in the Championship, having accumulated 76 points from 46 league games. The Black Cats had scored 58 goals and conceded 44, with 13 draws and 12 losses potentially halting their push for the automatic places at the start of the year.

The game will be available to watch on Sky Sports Football, Sky Sports Main Event and via NOW TV and Sky Go.

Coventry City Team News

Frank Lampard welcomed the return of Goalkeeper Ben Wilson for their pivotal victory against Middlesbrough. Bobby Thomas and Tatsuhiro Sakamoto are the only suspension risks for the fixture, meaning that should either player receive a booking, they will be suspended for the return leg.

Sunderland Team News

Niall Huggins, Aki Alese and Daniel Ballard are all unavailable for the Black Cats with long-term injury issues. Jobe Bellingham and Wilson Isidor are suspension risks for the second leg.

Coventry City:

Coventry City head into this game with slightly better form overall than their visitors. The Sky Blues have won two out of their last five league matches, with victories against Middlesbrough (2-0) and West Bromwich Albion (2-0). Coventry City have suffered two defeats in this run of games. However, both were away from home against Luton Town (1-0) and Plymouth Argyle (3-1).

The home form for Coventry City has been excellent. Frank Lampard’s side has won seven of their previous eight home games, with notable victories against Middlesbrough, West Bromwich Albion and Portsmouth (1-0). Their only defeat came against second-placed Burnley (1-2).

Sunderland:

Sunderland’s form has arguably come at the worst time for the Black Cats, as they face a strong Coventry City side away from home. The visitors have suffered five consecutive league defeats against QPR (0-1), Oxford United (2-0), Blackburn Rovers (0-1), Bristol City (2-1) and Swansea City (0-1). Prior to this run, the Black Cats had won two of their previous three league matches against West Bromwich Albion (0-1) and Millwall (1-0).

Away from home, Sunderland have the fourth-best away record in the Championship, with nine wins, six draws and eight losses from 23 away matches played.

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