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

The Sky Blues are adapting to life following a number of high-profile departures, while the Hornets are looking to retain their reputation as serious contenders at the top of the second tier.

Match preview

Coventry played out their first goalless draw of the campaign against Sunderland at the CBS Arena last Saturday, when the Sky Blues failed to convert any of their 17 attempts.

Supporters of the Sky Blues might have been daydreaming of the departed Viktor Gyokeres whilst the current crop of attackers were struggling to make the net ripple last time out, although new arrivals Haji Wright and Ellis Simms have the potential to be prolific at this level.

Mark Robins has been gifted with a full week of training ahead of Saturday's clash, with the East Midlands club not participating in the second round of the EFL Cup following a first-stage exit at AFC Wimbledon on August 9.

Coventry are currently 12th in the Championship standings having collected five points from their opening quartet of fixtures, with Saturday's hosts able to climb as high as eighth with maximum points on the weekend.

The sales of the aforementioned Gyokeres and Gustavo Hamer have allowed the Sky Blues to splash out considerably in the summer window, and fans will be praying that this side can go one step further than the class of 2022-23.

Identical to this weekend's hosts, Watford have enjoyed a full week on the training pitch due to a first-round EFL Cup exit at the hands of lower-league opposition, although the visitors come into this clash following a defeat last time out.

A comfortable opening-day success over Queens Park Rangers provided plenty of reasons for optimism at Vicarage Road under the new stewardship of Valerien Ismael, however back-to-back losses most recently have lowered expectations once again.

Last time out saw Blackburn Rovers earn maximum points at the Hornets' Hertfordshire home, with winger Ryan Hedges netting a 72nd-minute winner before completing a confident golf-swing celebration.

Ismael's men are now four matches without a win in all competitions, and the former West Bromwich Albion and Barnsley boss will be desperately keen to avoid extending that run much further at a club who are not afraid of a change in the dugout.

The Hornets have not won any of their last five matches away at Coventry, although they did manage to earn a point in last season's edition of this fixture, with Joao Pedro and Imran Louza bagging the goals for Watford in a four-goal thriller.

Coventry City Championship form:

Coventry City form (all competitions):

Watford Championship form:

Watford form (all competitions):

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Team News

Coventry are still without the services of attacking midfielder Callum O'Hare, with the 25-year-old expected back in the latter stages of September following a serious cruciate ligament injury.

Kasey Palmer has impressed in the advanced-midfield role over the opening weeks of the campaign, however Yasin Ayari could be set for his full debut for the Sky Blues after making the loan switch from Brighton & Hove Albion.

The battle continues between Simms and Wright for the place alongside Matt Godden in the hosts' two-man forward line, and we are expecting the American to be preffered from the start this time out.

Watford have suffered a major fitness blow this month, with Francisco Sierralta a doubt for this weekend after finding his feet in a unfamiliar defensive-midfield at the beginning of this campaign.

Jamal Lewis is yet to make an appearance for the Hornets since switching from Champions League-bound Newcastle United on loan - the 25-year-old is struggling with a slight thigh strain.

Ken Sema was forced to fill in at left-back last time out due to injuries of Jeremy Ngakia and James Morris, however the defensive duo should be fit enough to compete with each other for a starting berth at the CBS Arena.

Coventry City possible starting lineup:

Wilson; Thomas, McFadzean, Latibeaudiere; Van Ewijk, Eccles, Sheaf, Dasilva, Ayari, Wright, Godden

Watford possible starting lineup:

Bachmann; Ngakia, Porteous, Hoedt, Morris; Dele-Bashiru, Louza, Chakvetadze; Asprilla, Martins, Bayo

We say: Coventry City 1-0 Watford

Coventry are still adapting to life following the high-profile departures of Gyokerers and Hamer over the summer, although we feel that the Sky Blues should be good enough for a victory on Saturday.

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