Coventry vs Sunderland Betting Tips, H2H and Predictions

Friday night’s action sees a first-leg clash in the Sky Bet Championship playoffs between Coventry City and Sunderland.

The hosts, Coventry City were revitalised under Frank Lampard, with the Sky Blues becoming a winning team under their new manager and sneaking into the playoff spots – finishing in 5th place. On the other hand, Sunderland have thrived upon youth throughout the season, with Jobe Bellingham being a standout for the Black Cats as they look to be promoted back to the Premier League.

As the game approaches, here is everything you need to know about sides ahead of kick-off.

Key Stats

• Coventry City have not lost to Sunderland in their last ten meetings

• Coventry City have scored six goals in their last five matches

• Sunderland have lost their last five matches

• Sunderland have scored one goal in their last five matches

Team Preview, Form, and Standout Players

After Wembley heartbreak in 2023, Coventry will be looking for a positive outcome at the end of the 2025 playoffs. Now without star-men Gyokeres and Hamer, the Sky Blues offer a different outfit under Lampard. However, as 5th play 4th, the lower-placed Coventry City come in as the team on better form – in their last five games, Lampard’s side have won twice, drawn once, and lost twice.

Their opponents, Sunderland began the season in fantastic form, with automatic promotion looking like a possibility. Nevertheless, in recent weeks, the Black Cats have struggled – losing their last five games in a row. The last time out for Sunderland was a 1-0 defeat at home against QPR.

Haji Wright will be one to watch in this fixture, the American having scored 12 goals in 27 Championship appearances this season. Wright comes into the fixture on solid form, having scored once in his last three games.

Coventry City Preview

Coventry City Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Wilson, van Ewijk, Thomas, Kitching, Bidwell, Grimes, Sheaf, Sakamoto, Rudoni, Wright, Simms.

Coventry City face Sunderland with a squad filled by several injuries – Ephron Mason-Clark, Norman Bassette, and Victor Torp are all expected to be out. However, the trio are set to return this month and could feature in playoff action.

Oliver Nnonyelu Dovin will also be sidelined, the Swede having sustained a cruciate ligament injury.

Sunderland Preview

Sunderland Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Patterson, Hume, Mepham, O’Nien, Cirkin, Neil, Bellingham, Roberts, Rigg, Le Fee, Mayenda.

Similarly to their opponents, the Black Cats also have a number of absentees missing out on Friday night’s action.

Ajibola Alese, Ian Poveda, Jayden Danns, and Romaine Mundle are out with injuries and are all expected to return in fitness in mid-May.

Head-To-Head

Despite both teams operating together in the second tier of English football in recent years, Sunderland and Coventry have shared a minimal number of minutes. Within their 10 games, Coventry come out as the clear victors, winning on five occasions compared to five draws and no wins for Sunderland.

Recent Meetings:

• 25th February 2023 – Coventry 2-1 Sunderland

• 26th August 2023 – Coventry 0-0 Sunderland

• 23rd December 2023 – Sunderland 0-3 Coventry

• 9th November 2024 – Sunderland 2-2 Coventry

• 15th March 2025 – Coventry 3-0 Sunderland

Betting Tips For Coventry vs Sunderland

Despite their recent form in the league, losing their last five matches, the playoffs offer a different challenge for Sunderland, and as the supreme teams – the Black Cats will want to make a quick start in the first leg.

With all of this in mind, our team of professional experts have decided that the best tip for this game is for Sunderland to win. Odds of 11/15 from PariMatch means that a £10 bet could see a potential return of £32.00.

Where To Watch

This match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK.

• Date: Friday, 9 May

• Kick-off Time: 20:00 GMT

• Channel: Sky Sports Main Event

Prediction

Coventry 1-2 Sunderland