Coventry City host Middlesbrough at CBS Arena in the first leg of their 2022-23 Sky Bet Championship play-off semi-final.
Coventry qualified for this play-off semi-final after finishing fifth, courtesy of a 1-1 draw on the final day at fourth-placed Middlesbrough.
Team News
Coventry have no fresh injury concerns to report after their 1-1 draw against Middlesbrough, during which Ben Sheaf was an unnamed substitute, having recovered from a calf injury.
Manager, Mark Robins could name an unchanged starting line-up.
Middlesbrough will welcome defender, Anfernee Dijksteel back into contention after he was suspended for their final game of the season.
Jonny Howson (muscle), Dael Fry (Achilles/ankle), Marcus Forss and Aaron Ramsey (both ankle) could be in contion to return, but only if they individually pass late fitness tests ahead of the trip.
Matt Clarke (back) remains absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Coventry host Middlesbrough at CBS Arena in a 12pm BST kick-off on Sunday 14 May, live on Sky Sports in the UK.
Stat Attack
- This is the first time that Coventry are facing Middlesbrough in a post-season play-off tie, although are unbeaten in three of their last five meetings (W2, D1, L2).
- Middlesbrough are winless in four of their last five visits to Coventry (W1, L4).
- Coventry have scored the first goal in each of their two meetings against Boro this season (W1, D1).
- Matty Godden has scored in two of Coventry’s last three home games.
- Middlesbrough have won just one of their last six away games (W1, D1, L4).
Prediction
Having already played each other just under a week ago on the final day of the regular season, I am intrigued to see how both teams will approach this first leg because Boro were able to rest players unlike Coventry who had to field a full-strength team.
Coventry also are coming into this leg with real momentum behind them with just one defeat in 17 games, although Boro will be aware of Coventry’s quality in what was a quiet but close contest but the Sky Blues in-turn will enter this home leg with confidence given Boro’s away woes in recent visits.
Michael Carrick’s Boro meanwhile have dipped at the worst point in terms of momentum with no wins in their last three games, yet have had the advantage of resting key players although they did finish their clash last week on top in the second-half.
Now with Forss and Ramsey potentially set to return, we should see a much stronger Middlesbrough but with Coventry riding the crest of a wave in terms of belief, this first leg won’t be an easy task for Boro on top of their recent away rut against the Sky Blues.
Snatching a draw therefore could be crucial to Boro’s chances given how defensively disciplined Coventry can be, especially if the Sky Blues can get an early lead in this play-off tie to take into the second leg.
Prediction: Coventry 1-1 Middlesbrough
Result: Coventry 0-0 Middlesbrough