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Preview: Coventry City vs. Barnsley - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Championship clash between Coventry City and Barnsley, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Barnsley face Coventry City at St Andrew's looking for the victory which will strengthen their bid to earn a place in the Championship playoffs.

Meanwhile, Sky Blues head into the contest on the back of an important win over Rotherham United, a result which moved the club six points clear of the relegation zone.


Match preview

Coventry City's Leo Ostigard celebrates scoring their first goal against Bristol City in the Championship on April 5, 2021© Reuters

Coventry have gone throughout this season without recording back-to-back wins in the Championship, form which has ensured that they have always been candidates for relegation.

However, while that remains the case, two wins from three games have moved the Sky Blues into 18th position with just five matches remaining.

Rotherham's two games in hand means that Mark Robins and his squad cannot afford to be complacent over the coming weeks, but one more win will put the club on the brink of survival.

Defender Leo Ostigard has netted twice in his last three appearances, his only efforts in the final third during his loan switch from Brighton & Hove Albion.

The goals of the Norwegian youngster have been required with no Coventry player scoring more than five times this campaign.

Barnsley's Daryl Dike celebrates scoring their first goal against Luton Town in the Championship on April 5, 2021© Reuters

While Coventry are bidding to remain in this division, Barnsley are closing in on claiming an unlikely playoff spot at the end of the season.

After two games without success, victories over Luton Town and Middlesbrough have kept Valerien Ismael's team five points clear of nearest rivals Reading.

The Tykes still sit just four points adrift of third-placed Brentford, but Ismael's priority will be ensuring that sixth place is guaranteed as soon as possible.

USA international Daryl Dike took his tally to eight goals from 14 appearances during the 2-0 triumph over Boro last weekend.

Coventry City Championship form:
  • L
  • D
  • L
  • W
  • L
  • W

Barnsley Championship form:
  • W
  • W
  • L
  • D
  • W
  • W


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Team News

Coventry City manager Mark Robins pictured in November 2020© Reuters

Despite the three-day turnaround, Robins is unlikely to make major changes to his Coventry XI.

The sole alteration to the team could see Gustavo Hamer take the place of either Tyler Walker or Callum O'Hare.

Having had over a week to prepare for this contest, Ismael may also prefer to keep the majority of the team which defeated Middlesbrough.

Michael Sollbauer could return in defence, while Carlton Morris and Dominik Frieser are competing for one place in the final third.

Coventry City possible starting lineup:
Wilson; Ostigard, McFadzean, Hyam; Da Costa, James, Kelly, McCallum; O'Hare, Hamer; Godden

Barnsley possible starting lineup:
Collins; Andersen, Helik, Sollbauer; Brittain, Palmer, Mowatt, Styles; Frieser, Dyke, Woodrow


SM words green background

We say: Coventry City 0-2 Barnsley

Thursday's win over Rotherham has eased the pressure on Robins and his Coventry side ahead of this contest. However, while the Sky Blues will be eager to get another three points on the board, we are backing Barnsley to emerge victorious in relatively comfortable fashion.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a double chance bet on a draw or an away win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Draw/Away:data


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How you voted: Coventry vs Barnsley

Coventry City
26.7%
Draw
28.9%
Barnsley
44.4%
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Barnsley manager Valerien Ismael celebrates after the match on March 13, 2021
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
3Brentford452315776413584
4Swansea CitySwansea4523111156371980
5Bournemouth4522111273442977
6Barnsley45238145648877
7Reading451912146052869
8Cardiff CityCardiff4518131465481767
9Queens Park RangersQPR451811165454065
10Middlesbrough451810175550564
11Millwall451517134646062
12Luton TownLuton441710174049-961
13Preston North EndPreston45177214755-858
14Stoke CityStoke451415164852-457
15Blackburn RoversBlackburn451412196052854
16Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest451216173643-752
17Coventry CityCoventry451313194360-1752
18Birmingham CityBirmingham451313193556-2152
19Bristol City45156244565-2051
20Huddersfield TownHuddersfield451212214869-2148
21Derby CountyDerby451110243355-2243
22Rotherham UnitedRotherham44117264359-1640
23Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds451210233758-2140
24Wycombe WanderersWycombe451010253669-3340

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