Coventryvs.Watford

The Sky Blues secured an impressive success at the home of Blackburn Rovers last time out, whilst the Hornets were defeated on their own patch by Preston North End.

Match preview

Since the narrow 2-1 defeat in East Anglia to Norwich City on January 4, Coventry City have managed to get back on track in some style to kick-start 2025, with the East Midlands outfit winning each of their last three matches across the Championship and this season's FA Cup.

A trip to the Lancashire home of playoff-chasing Blackburn was the order of the day on Tuesday for the Sky Blues, who secured a resounding two-goal success against John Eustace's men courtesy of strikes either side of half time from Ellis Simms and Brandon Thomas-Asante.

Back to The CBS Arena after a standout victory over the Rovers last time out, Frank Lampard's troops are making their way towards the business end of the Championship table as February approaches, sitting in 13th position, seven points behind Blackburn in sixth spot at this stage.

Coventry have been mightily impressive at their own place since the arrival of former Chelsea and England star Lampard into the dugout in December, with the Sky Blues unbeaten across six home matches, a spell of form which includes wins over Plymouth Argyle and Bristol City.

After a sobering 15th-placed finish in the Championship during the 2023-24 campaign, Watford are attempting to establish themselves as a major player at the top end of this division once more, with ex-Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley calling the coaching shots at Vicarage Road.

There was a major disappointment at the Hornets' Hertfordshire base on Tuesday night, when a brilliant brace from Montenegro international Milutin Osmajic secured three points for Preston on the road, despite a late consolation from Republic of Ireland youth international Rocco Vata.

Losing for only the second time this month in the second tier last time out, Watford are still in a promising position as they look to secure a top-six finish this term, with Saturday's opponents sitting in eighth spot, just a single point behind entry to the coveted playoff zone.

The Hornets will need to improve their away form if they wish to make a serious push for the Premier League during the second half of this season, with Cleverley's men winning just three of their 14 outings to date, conceding an eye-watering total of 27 goals in the process.

Coventry City Championship form:

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D

D

L

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W

Coventry City form (all competitions):

D

D

L

W

W

W

Watford Championship form:

L

L

L

D

W

L

Watford form (all competitions):

L

L

L

D

W

L

Team News

Coventry remain without the services of midfielder Ben Sheaf, who is expected to be back in first-team action in February from a muscle issue.

The Sky Blues are missing plenty of firepower in their front line, with summer arrival Ephron Mason-Clark out of action due to a hamstring.

Leader of the Coventry attack over the past 18 months, Haji Wright is currently occupying a spot in the club's medical room with a leg issue.

Watford are battling on without the talents of their first-choice goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann, who picked up an ankle injury at the beginning of the month.

As a result, deputy shot-stopper Jonathan Bond will continue in between the sticks, looking for his second clean sheet of the Championship term.

Coventry City possible starting lineup:

Dovin; Latibeaudiere, Thomas, Kitching; Van Ewijk, Torp, Allen, Rudoni, Bidwell; Thomas-Asante, Simms

Watford possible starting lineup:

Bond; Larouci, Sierralta, Pollock; Dele-Bashiru, Louza, Sissoko, Ngakia; Vata, Bayo, Kayembe

We say: Coventry City 2-1 Watford

Unbeaten at The CBS Arena under the tutelage of Lampard, Coventry should be confident of recording another January success this weekend against Watford.

Written by

Carter White

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