Coventry vs Middlesbrough Preview

The final gameweek of regular Championship action commences on Saturday, and it is shaping up to be one of the most exciting final days in any division across Europe.

With five teams fighting relegation at one end of the table, a further five are competing for the two remaining play-off places left by the already competing Sheffield United and Sunderland. Two of these sides, Coventry City and Middlesbrough, clash on the final day, with one of them looking to deliver the knockout blow to the other.

Coventry currently occupy the final play-off spot, and despite being equal on points with Milwall, know that a win will likely be more than enough to make it to the knockout stage, with their goal difference four superior to the Lions. Middlesbrough have to win and rely on other results to grab the other spot.

As the two teams prepare for a crucial final regular season clash, here is everything you need to know about both sides ahead of kick-off.

Where to Watch

This game will be shown on Sky Sports +, with kick-off scheduled for 12:30 on Saturday.

Key Statistics

• Coventry have loved this fixture in recent years, and haven’t lost to Borough in their last nine meetings (W7 D2).
• Both sides have lost 17 games to date. The last team to make the play-offs with as many defeats was Reading back into 2002/23.
• Middlesbrough have failed to score in three of their last five games, while scoring just three of their own.
• They are missing seven first team players, including key winger Ben Doak and usual captain Luke Ayling.

Coventry City Preview

Coventry City Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Bradley Collins (GK); Jake Bidwell, Liam Kitching, Joel Latibeaudiere, Luis Binks; Ben Sheaf, Matt Grimes; Haji Wright, Jack Rudoni, Tatsuhiro Sakamoto; Ellie Simms.

Frank Lampard did brilliantly to turn Coventry’s form around when he came into the club. Winning 12 of his first 19 games in charge, they shot from relegation threatened to play-off favourites in a matter of three months.

However, unfortunately for the Chelsea legend, that was the easy bit. The hard bit now is getting them over the line, which in recent weeks has started to look more and more laborious.

They have now won just three of their last nine games, and things in and around the play-off places have become uncomfortably congested. While their destiny is still in their own hands, there is now no more room for error. Either they win, or it suddenly becomes another season of what could have been.

Middlesbrough Preview

Middlesbrough Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Mark Travers (GK); Samuel Iling-Junior, Jonathan Howson, Dael Fry, Anfernee Dijksteel; Aidan Morris, Hayden Hackney; Finn Azaz, Kelechi Iheanacho, Morgan Whittaker; Tommy Conway.

For much of the early and mid-season, Borough were comfortably in and around the play-off spots, never straying too far from fifth. However, they made things much harder for themselves in January and February, falling as far as eleventh.

While they have admirably clawed their way back up the table to ninth place and back into play-off contention, a lot of things still need to go their way on the final day, even if they do beat Coventry.

Blackburn and Millwall would also need to lose (if Millwall draw this would also be in their favour). There is certainly a high chance of this happening, as they play Sheffield United and Burnley, but twists and turns are never too far away in the Championship. The most Middlesbrough can do is live up to their end of the bargain, beating Coventry.

Coventry vs Middlesbrough Head to Head

Recent Meetings:

• 02/11/2024: Borough 0-2 Coventry.
• 01/01/2024: Borough 1-3 Coventry.
• 12/08/2023: Coventry 3-0 Borough.
• 17/05/2023: Borough 0-1 Coventry.
• 14/05/2023: Coventry 0-0 Borough.

Coventry vs Middlesbrough Betting Tip

With Coventry out of form, and Middlesbrough extremely inconsistent since the start of the year, this game is very hard to predict, as both sides have shown that anything can happen in their games. However, given that both teams are the two highest scoring competitor’s for the play-offs, we expect both teams to score.

Coventry vs Middlesbrough Prediction

Coventry 2-1 Middlesbrough

Though Coventry may have dipped in recent games, Lampard has already shown that he can motivate his players brilliantly at the Sky Blues. Their winning streak was phenomenal, and if his side can rediscover that belief, they should blow Middlesbrough (the any play-off side) out of the water.