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

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Championship clash between Brentford and Coventry City, including predictions and team news.

Brentford will be hoping to bounce back from their capitulation against Preston North End before the international break when they host Coventry City on Saturday.

The two teams have near-identical records in the Championship after four games, only being separated in the table by two goals.


Match preview

Brentford boss Thomas Frank on February 8, 2020© Reuters

Summer signing Ivan Toney netted twice to give Brentford a 2-0 half-time lead against Preston a fortnight ago, only for the Lilywhites to score four goals after the break and shock Thomas Frank's side.

The Dane insisted that he was "100%" sure that the collapse would be a "one off", but he will not have been happy with his side's start to the campaign.

After losing the playoff final last season, promotion is once again the aim this time around, but Brentford's only league victory so far has been a 3-0 thrashing of Huddersfield Town.

Coventry are also aiming to recover from a defeat two weeks ago, as they lost 3-1 to Bournemouth. Their woes were compounded when Gustavo Hamer was sent off for violent conduct.

Bournemouth's Jefferson Lerma celebrates scoring against Coventry City in the Championship on October 2, 2020© Reuters

The Sky Blues are yet to win away from home since their return to the Championship, while only Derby County and Wycombe Wanderers have conceded more goals than Mark Robins's side (seven).

At the other end of the pitch, striker Matt Godden will be hoping to continue his run of three goals in four games – only Adam Armstrong has scored more in the Championship.

Saturday will mark the first time Brentford and Coventry have faced each other since March 2014, when the Bees won 3-1 on their way to promotion from League One.

In fact this will be only the fifth fixture involving the two sides this century, and the first in the second tier since 1952. Coventry have not beaten Brentford since 1963.

Brentford Championship form: LWDL
Brentford form (all competitions): WWDDWL

Coventry City Championship form: LWDL
Coventry City form (all competitions): WLDWDL


Team News

Brentford's David Raya celebrates with Christian Norgaard against West Bromwich Albion on September 22, 2020© Reuters

Said Benrahma's Brentford exit is imminent, with West Ham United expected to secure his signature before Friday's deadline.

Injury wise, the Bees are still without left-back Rico Henry, while Christian Norgaard was forced off with an ankle injury against Preston and subsequently missed Denmark's three games over the international break.

Gustavo Hamer will be a big miss for Coventry following his red card against Bournemouth, but it could pave the way for captain Liam Kelly to return to the starting lineup.

Jodi Jones is out for the season after damaging his ACL, while summer signings Julien Da Costa and Marcel Hilssner are still yet to feature due to injury.

Brentford possible starting lineup:
Daniels; Dalsgaard, Pinnock, Jansson, Thompson; Dasilva, Jensen, Marcondes; Mbuemo, Toney, Canos

Coventry City possible starting lineup:
Marosi; Hyam, McFadzean, Ostigard; Dabo, Sheaf, Kelly, Giles; Allen, O'Hare; Godden


SM words green background

We say: Brentford 3-1 Coventry City

Brentford need a win to kick start their season and a home fixture against a Coventry side still finding their feet in the Championship presents them with a good opportunity. Even without Benrahma, the Bees have a menacing attack but are unlikely to keep a clean sheet.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals 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.Under 3.5:data

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Who will win the Championship clash between Brentford and Coventry City?

Brentford
Draw
Coventry City
Brentford
0.0%
Draw
0.0%
Coventry City
0.0%
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Coventry City manager Mark Robins pictured on January 14, 2020
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