Coventry vs Stoke prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2023-03-31 14:00.
The chase for the Championship play-off places ramps up after the season’s final international break, and Coventry are desperate to crash the top-six party. The Sky Blues are on their longest unbeaten run in the second-tier since 2001 (W5, D4), leaving them just three points adrift of the play-offs after an emphatic 4-1 victory over struggling Blackpool sent them into the international break on a high.
Coventry’s success is largely built on a strong rearguard as they boast the most clean sheets in the division (17), while only three teams have conceded fewer than their 37 goals. Boss Mark Robins will now be hoping that defensive solidity can help him build on his excellent H2H record against Stoke whilst in charge of Coventry (W4, D2), and playing at home should inspire confidence that it’ll continue, as the Sky Blues are unbeaten in five league games on their own turf (W3, D2).
Stoke travel south in the midst of a purple patch of their own, avoiding defeat in each of their last four league games (W2, D2). That run was made all the more impressive by the calibre of the opposition, with three of those matches coming against sides currently in the top-seven, a position Stoke undoubtedly aspire to be in considering this is their fifth successive season in the Championship after ten seasons in the top-flight.
Picking up those impressive results has alleviated any lingering relegation fears on the Potteries, leaving boss Alex Neil to concentrate on securing a top-half finish. Continuing their solid away form would go some way to doing just that, as Stoke have impressively collected 25 of their 48 points on the road this term, while they’ve avoided defeat in each of their last three away league games (W2, D1).
Players to watch: Tough-tackling Coventry midfielder Gustavo Hamer has been booked in three of his last five outings, but he scored and assisted in his side’s 2-0 win in this season’s reverse fixture. Tyrese Campbell may prove the man to step up for Stoke but he likes to leave it late, netting seven of his eight Championship goals this term after half-time.
Hot stat: Stoke have conceded 12 goals in the opening 15 minutes in the Championship this term – the joint-most in the division.