Preview: Coventry City vs. Middlesbrough - prediction, team news, lineups

It is a battle between two teams in the relegation zone at this early stage in the season, after slow starts from both sides.

Match preview

This match will be just the second home league game of the season for Coventry, with the club being forced to postpone home matches on three occasions due to an unsafe pitch in the wake of the Commonwealth Games.

The Sky Blues are currently bottom of the Championship, having picked up just three points in a winless start to the season so far, with three draws and four defeats to their name.

The main problem for the home side has been in defence, conceding 17 goals in all competitions already this season and only being able to keep one clean sheet.

However, they have played the fewest games of any team in the Championship and have three games in hand on their opponents, so Saturday's game serves as an opportunity for them to finally kickstart their season back in front of their own fans.

Form has also somewhat improved recently, with draws in their last two games in away trips against Luton Town and Birmingham City.

Mark Robins will likely rely on striker Matty Godden, who netted on 12 occasions in 24 outings last season and has started this campaign in similar fashion with three goals to his name already.

Middlesbrough have made a disappointing start to the season, currently sitting 22nd in the Championship table, inside the relegation zone.

After a strong finish to last season, owing to the arrival of Chris Wilder, The Teesiders would have been expected to kick on and be challenging higher up the league table, but they have amassed just 10 points so far this season and have the second-worst defensive record in the league.

Last time out, Boro were held to a 0-0 draw at home against Rotherham United despite dominating the majority of the game, largely down to brilliant rearguard action from Rotherham goalkeeper Viktor Johansson to deny Duncan Watmore on a number of occasions.

Summer signing Muniz Carvalho is likely to be the main threat for Middlesbrough in Saturday's game, while they will also rely on midfielder Matt Crooks, who has two goals and two assists to his name already this campaign.

Coventry City Championship form:

L

L

L

L

D

D

Middlesbrough Championship form:

L

W

L

W

L

D

Team News

Coventry will be without midfielder Gustavo Hamer, who received a straight red card during their last match against Birmingham.

Michael Rose also misses out with a groin injury sustained against Luton, while long term absentee Callum O'Hare is still out with a hamstring injury.

After a decent display, particularly defensively in the Birmingham game, Mark Robins may feel there is no need to make too many changes to his side, other than Kasey Palmer replacing the suspended Hamer.

For Middlesbrough, Chuba Akpom is still not available for selection with a knee injury, meaning Muniz Carvalho will likely be the first choice up top for Chris Wilder.

It will be a selection dilemma in midfield for the Boro manager, who may opt for Alex Mowatt to freshen things up and to create more opportunities.

Coventry City possible starting lineup:

Wilson; Doyle, McFadzean, Panzo; Dabo, Palmer, Allen, Sheaf, Bidwell; Gyokeres, Godden

Middlesbrough possible starting lineup:

Steffen; Dijksteel, Clarke, Fry; Jones, Mowatt, Howson, Crooks, Giles; Watmore, Muniz

We say: Coventry City 1-1 Middlesbrough

Coventry will want to give their fans something to shout about in a rare home game so far this season, but with not much separating the two sides, we think Middlesbrough will have enough to come away with a point.

Previews by email