Preview: Coventry City vs. Preston North End - prediction, team news, lineups

Championship playoff contenders Coventry City host a Preston North End side whose own top six hopes have taken a hit over the last week.

The Sky Blues are currently ninth in the table and three points behind the playoffs, while the Lilywhites are four points further behind in 13th.

Match preview

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Coventry secured back-to-back league victories for the first time since September as they won 2-1 away at Bristol City on Tuesday night.

Viktor Gyokeres struck an 89th-minute winner at Ashton Gate, as Mark Robins hailed a "fantastic result" for his side.

Having faltered throughout December and January, the Sky Blues are now firmly back on track in their playoff bid with three wins from their last four matches. They are aiming to achieve three victories in a row for the first time since April last year.

Coventry have won nine of their 16 league games at the CBS Arena this season – only three Championship sides have won more times on home turf.

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Preston travel to the West Midlands having kept four successive clean sheets away from home, picking up 10 points from a possible 12.

However, they have picked up just one point from two home games over the last week – losing to Reading and drawing with Nottingham Forest – meaning the Lilywhites are seven points behind sixth-place Middlesbrough having played two more matches.

Ryan Lowe has lost just twice in 13 league games since being appointed in December, but must start turning draws into wins if he wants to get the club into the playoffs.

Preston are unbeaten in eight games against Coventry and have won the last five meetings. Goals from Patrick Bauer and Emil Riis helped them come from behind to win 2-1 in this season's reverse fixture.

Team News

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Coventry's Ian Maatsen was surprisingly deployed in an attacking midfield role against Bristol City in midweek, but may revert to left wing-back in this game.

Ben Sheaf will be pushing to return to the starting lineup after dropping to the bench at Ashton Gate.

Mark Robins is hopeful that Jodi Jones could be available for selection again after missing the last two matches with a knee problem.

Preston centre-back Patrick Bauer will be assessed ahead of the game after being forced off with a hip issue against Nottingham Forest in midweek.

If the German is out, it is likely to mean that Andrew Hughes drops back into the back three and either Josh Earl or Scott Sinclair comes in at left wing-back.

There is a chance that Josh Murphy could make a return to the matchday squad following four months out with ankle and calf injuries.

Coventry City possible starting lineup:
Moore; Clarke-Salter, Hyam, McFadzean; Kane, Hamer, Sheaf, Maatsen; O'Hare, Allen; Gyokeres

Preston North End possible starting lineup:
Iversen; van den Berg, Lindsay, Hughes; Potts, Browne, Whiteman, Earl; Johnson; Archer, Riis

We say: Coventry City 1-1 Preston North End

With both clubs harbouring playoff ambitions, this should be a tight and tense game and we are finding it hard to pick a winner. Coventry are building momentum but Preston have become hard to beat under Ryan Lowe, so we think it will end level.

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