Coventry vs Sunderland

The Championship playoffs begin this week, as Bristol City face Sheffield United and Coventry will be up against Bristol City. The game between Coventry and Sunderland will kick off at 8PM BST on Friday 9th May, and Coventry will be the hosts of the first leg, playing at the Coventry Building Society Arena.

The Fourth and Fifth place sides have both been in top form this season, surprising championship fans with some of their form.

Coventry have been strong under Frank Lampard who was appointed early on in the season, with the Sky Blues losing just nine of their 29 games in the Championship under the former Chelsea manager.

Sunderland themselves managed just twelve losses in the Championship all season under French Manager Regis Les Bris.

Both of the sides didn't have enough in them however to get through via automatic promotion, due to not being able to compete with the finances of Burnley and Leeds etc.

However, to seal promotion through the playoffs would still be a huge achievement for both sides, but they must get through the semi finals first against each other.

So, what is it going to take to come out on top in this tie?

Tactical Flexibility

Regis Le Bris previously managed FC Lorient in France, where he preferred to build up play in a traditional manner, using a back four. Le Bris used a traditional 4-3-3 whilst at Lorient, or similarly a 4-2-3-1. His Lorient side would play out the back using his back four and two pivots in midfield. His football was fairly simple, playing passes into the pivots, who could create triangles with fullbacks and wingers to play around the press after baiting the opposition.

However, during his second Lorient season, Le Bris switched to a 3-4-3 formation, building out from the back with a back three, whilst using the two pivots ahead as passing options, who would then have to attacking midfielders in front of them creating a box midfield. Although, during this season, Lorient were relegated, which is why this season Sunderland have been using a traditional back four. It shows however that Le Bris isn't afraid to switch things up, and is capable of adapting to opponents. It may not have worked at Lorient, but it can still be a skill of use.

Does Lampard do it better?

Frank Lampard took over the Sky Blues when they were declining in form under Mark Robins, and they were sat near the bottom of the table in seventeenth position. Lampard's appointment was questioned and doubts were raised due to his previous track record not boasting much success.

However, Lampard has proven his doubters wrong, taking Coventry into the playoff positions, and has reverted back to basic footballing principles.

Coventry has been set up 4-3-3, aiming to press high up the pitch, utilising the midfield three to keep possession and outnumber the opposition in midfield. As well as this, it allows his fullbacks to push higher up the pitch as the midfield three can cover the space the fullbacks leave behind.

Similarly to Sunderland, Coventry are focused on their wingplay, utilising their overlapping runs by fullbacks to make crosses into the box.

Stats via Fbref

Coventry rank top of the table in the Championship for crosses, showing the focus that Lampard puts on his wingplay, prioritising on delivering quality balls into the box.

Stats via Fbref

Jack Rudoni ranks top of the player table for crosses in the Championship, further reinforcing the emphasis Lampard places on his crossing.

When you look at the players Lampard has, it makes sense as to why crosses are so important to him. Haji Wright is a perfect player for Lampard, as not only does he possess such amazing quality with the ball at his feet and good finishing, he is also has a huge frame, being six foot and three inches, making him a good target to aim for.

Wright predominantly plays on the left wing, and likes to cut in on the left hand side, and will usually arrive into the box at the back post late for crosses.

Wright wins on average 2.1 aerial duels a game, and aerial duels is one of his strengths in his playstyle.

The American can cause damage against Sunderland, who have weaknesses in winning their aerial duels.

Stats via Fbref

Utilising the wings

Le Bris switched to a back four again at Sunderland, and has allowed his players the freedom to be able to move out the pitch into dangerous positions, creating space by dragging out opposition. As well as this, Le Bris has focused on making sure his wingers are isolated to have potential 1v1 situations.

The Black Cats have very technical and gifted wingers in Romain Mundle (now injured), Patrick Roberts, WIlson Isidor, Tom Watson and even Enzo Le Fee. These players are perfect for Le Bris, as he can use them to his advantage as he knows they are capable of beating their fullbacks, and can either deliver a ball into the box, or even run direct at goal and have a shot themselves.

Stats via Fbref

When taking this into account, it is no surprise that Sunderland rank top of the Championship for attempted take ons this season, wth 928 attempts at beating their defenders.

This could be something that Coventry will need to look out for, as they haven't exactly been the best at stopping their dribblers this season.

Stats via Fbref

As seen from this table, Coventry rank second worst in the league for attempted tackles, showing their unwillingness to stop opposition dribblers. Lampard will need his fullbacks alert up against Sunderland, as they possess the quality on the wings to beat their men.

This matchup in the EFL playoffs isn't going to be an easy one to predict at all, with both sides clearly having their strengths. Whilst Lampard has worked wonders this season for the Sky Blues, taking them from seventeenth to fifth place, Regis Le Bris has also taken Sunderland to another level, running out of steam just towards the end of the season, not having enough to compete with Leeds and Burnley.

Only one side can come out on top, and only one will have a chance to play at Wembley, and put themselves within a chance of winning the most expensive game in world football.