Preview: Coventry City vs. Derby County: lineups, team news and predictions
Coventry City, who are hoping to advance, will travel to Pride Park Stadium on Saturday to play Derby County in an attempt to win their first game of the Championship season. The Sky Blues want to remain undefeated this weekend, while the Rams want to recover from their loss the last time out. In 2024–25, John Eustace’s Derby just made it out of the relegation zone of the second division, ending one point above of Luton Town.
The boss will be devastated by the Rams’ 3-1 loss at Stoke City on Saturday, when his team took the lead through Carlton Morris only to give up three goals without a response, including two in stoppage time. Eustace’s team is now 23rd in the standings as a result of that loss, and the manager will be anxious to prevent yet another protracted demotion battle later in the season. The hosts’ impressive home record, which includes three victories and two draws from their final six games played on their own field at the end of the previous season, may give them confidence in achieving that goal.
After Derby defeated fellow Championship team West Bromwich Albion 2-1 in midweek to advance to the second round of the EFL Cup, supporters may also feel cautiously optimistic. Last season, Coventry, led by Frank Lampard, was on the verge of promotion, but their hopes were crushed when they were heartbreakingly eliminated from the playoff semi-finals by Sunderland. The Sky Blues are anxious for their first victory of the season after surrendering two points in a goalless draw with Hull City, who survived relegation due to goal-difference, on matchday one. This time around, they will have their sights set on moving up to the top tier.
Lampard’s team defeated Luton, who are presently in League One, 1-0 in the first round of the League Cup last time out, replicating their failed 2022–23 Championship playoff final. The visitors will need to overcome their terrible travelling performance from the conclusion of 2024–25, when they lost four of their final five regular season games and drew the other, in order to build on their midweek success. However, if Coventry wins all six games on Saturday, they might be in the top six before the next gameday. The psychological boost of an early victory might also provide them the motivation they need to finish first.
This weekend, Derby will have to deal with a long list of absences, including winger Corey Blackett-Taylor, who suffered a hamstring injury against Stoke. Bobby Clark, a midfielder on loan from Red Bull Salzburg, could start in his place on Saturday, playing a more versatile role out wide. While loanee Owen Beck could return to duty next month, Eustace is still awaiting the recovery of several long-term injured players, including forwards Lars-Jorgen Salvesen and Patrick Agyemang, as well as defenders Curtis Nelson, Sondre Langas, and Kane Wilson.
A number of Coventry players, including midfielders Ben Sheaf and Josh Eccles, who might be prepared to help with the promotion drive later in August, are also absent. Jack Rudoni plays as an attacking midfielder, and Lampard might substitute them with Victor Torp and Matt Grimes in the middle of the park. However, Sky Blues supporters will have to wait longer to witness Joel Latibeaudiere and Oliver Dovin take to the pitch.
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