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

At a time when the Sky Blues have recently moved up to 13th position in the standings, Norwich remain in seventh despite an indifferent spell of form.

Match preview

There have been times this season when Coventry have not quite been living up to potential, perhaps understandable having sold their two best players in the summer.

Nevertheless, with just two defeats in the Championship this season, the 2022-23 playoff finalists remain a threat, and that has been shown in recent matches.

Back-to-back victories have been posted over Queens Park Rangers and Blackburn Rovers to make it 14 points from 10 fixtures, a respectable return now that they sit just six points adrift of third position.

Although Mark Robins's side still occupy as low as 13th place, they are beginning to look like a team that can match the clubs above them, and another victory on Saturday would see them enter the top 10.

Coventry have also failed to score in just one league fixture this campaign - a goalless draw against Sunderland who possess the second-best defensive record in the division - but their next opponents offer no such solidarity at the back.

The statistics tell you that Norwich have kept three clean sheets in their first 10 league games during 2023-24, a respectable return given the nature of the division.

However, 18 goals have been conceded in the other seven matches, including 10 at Southampton and Plymouth Argyle, and it shows that there is a vulnerability about his team.

David Wagner's outfit have also lost four of their last six fixtures, the most recent setback coming away at Swansea City in midweek with the Welsh side prevailing by a 2-1 scoreline.

With the Canaries having now suffered three successive defeats on the road, facing one of the four teams that boast an unbeaten home record comes at the wrong time.

Coventry City Championship form:

D

D

L

D

W

W

Norwich City Championship form:

L

W

L

L

W

L

Norwich City form (all competitions):

W

L

L

L

W

L

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Team News

Liam Kelly is the latest player to join Coventry's injury list having torn his hamstring in the win over Blackburn.

Yasin Ayari should come into the team in his place, while Haji Wright has put himself in contention for a recall by netting the winner in that match.

Meanwhile, Wagner will almost certainly make several changes to his Norwich side, particularly in the final third.

Christian Fassnacht and Adam Idah appear certain to be recalled, with Przemyslaw Placheta and Onel Hernandez also in contention.

Borja Sainz will only return to the substitutes' bench at best if he shakes off an ankle injury, but Josh Sargent and Ashley Barnes remain sidelined.

Coventry City possible starting lineup:

Wilson; Thomas, McFadzean, Binks; Latibeaudiere, Eccles, Allen, Dasilva; Ayari; Godden, Wright

Norwich City possible starting lineup:

Gunn; Stacey, Duffy, Gibson, Giannoulis; Forshaw, McLean; Springett; Sara, Rowe; Ui-Jo

We say: Coventry City 3-1 Norwich City

With two of the best attacks in the Championship, this should prove to be an entertaining contest. However, we can only see the home side coming out on top, particularly when they are in possession of an undefeated record at their Midlands home.

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