MX23RW : Friday, November 20 21:32:57| >> :60:92:92:
Oct 30, 2020 at 7.45pm UK at Ricoh Arena
CoventryCoventry City
3-2
ReadingReading
Hamer (23'), Godden (76'), McCallum (85')
Skiri Oestigaard (39'), Hamer (42'), Rose (79'), Hyam (83'), Marosi (87')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Joao (66'), Puscas (90+1')

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

Sports Mole previews Friday's Championship fixture between Coventry City and Reading, including team news and predicted lineups.

Reading face Coventry City at St Andrew's on Friday evening looking to strengthen their grip of first position in the Championship standings.

After half-a-dozen matches without success, the Sky Blues are looking for the win which would put some distance between themselves and the relegation zone.


Match preview

Reading's Josh Laurent celebrates with teammates after scoring against Blackburn Rovers in the Championship on October 27, 2020© Reuters

While many Reading supporters would have had considerable doubts regarding the appointment of Veljko Paunovic during the summer, those concerns are no longer present after a remarkable start to the season for the Royals.

Seven wins and one draw from eight contests have taken Reading clear of the chasing pack, who have struggled to put together a consistent run of victories.

Paunovic will stress that it remains early days, but it will be difficult for the club's fans to not get carried away if they extend their unbeaten streak over the coming weeks.

Tuesday's 4-2 triumph away at Blackburn Rovers was more stressful than Paunovic would have liked, although the Serbian went on to claim that his side delivered the "complete" performance at Ewood Park.

That is not strictly true given that Reading conceded more goals against Blackburn than they did in their previous seven fixtures, but a fast start and strong finish to the game ultimately did for their free-scoring opponents.

As far as Coventry are concerned, this match has come at the wrong time for Mark Robins and his squad after successive defeats to Blackburn and Middlesbrough.

Although last year's League One champions started the campaign in solid fashion, just two points have been recorded since the second week of the campaign.

Over 250 minutes have passed since they last found the back of the net, and shipping two late goals at a no-thrills Middlesbrough on Tuesday evening will leave them low in confidence ahead of welcoming the frontrunners.

Despite Matt Godden having three strikes to his name for the season, the forward has now not found the back of the net in four outings.

Coventry City Championship form: DLLDLL

Reading Championship form: WWDWWW


Team News

Coventry City manager Mark Robins pictured in September 2020© Reuters

Robins is likely to make a number of changes to his Coventry XI after their latest setback at Middlesbrough.

Fankaty Dabo, Liam Kelly, Callum O'Hare and Tyler Walker are all pushing for recalls to the side.

Forward Maxime Biamou may also be provided with his first start of the season in place of Godden.

Paunovic is hopeful of having Ovie Ejaria back in contention after the midfielder missed the trip to Blackburn through muscle fatigue.

Providing that Yakou Meite shakes off a knock to his ankle, Paunovic could name an unchanged starting lineup.

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

Reading possible starting lineup:
Cabral; Esteves, Morrison, Moore, Richards; Rinomhota, Laurent; Meite, Semedo, Olise; Joao


SM words green background

We say: Coventry City 0-2 Reading

With every win Reading record in the Championship, expectation levels will rise at the Madejski Stadium. However, we are backing the Royals to make light work of the Sky Blues, who may struggle to find a balance between defence and attack during this encounter.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting 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.Away Win:data

ID:420075:cQx

Who will win Friday's Championship clash between Coventry City and Reading?

Coventry City
Draw
Reading
Coventry City
0.0%
Draw
0.0%
Reading
0.0%
0
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Veljko Paunovic pictured in March 2019
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Reading boss Veljko Paunovic: 'Everyone had a fantastic game against Blackburn'
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Reading117131712522
2Norwich CityNorwich11632138521
3Bournemouth11551159620
4Bristol City116231511420
5Swansea CitySwansea11542137619
6Middlesbrough1046094518
7Watford10532139418
8Stoke CityStoke115331512318
9Millwall11452108217
10Luton TownLuton11524911-217
11Brentford114431712516
12Blackburn RoversBlackburn114252114714
13Huddersfield TownHuddersfield114251213-114
14Birmingham CityBirmingham12354911-214
15Preston North EndPreston114161514113
16Cardiff CityCardiff113441211113
17Barnsley113441213-113
18Queens Park RangersQPR113441115-413
19Rotherham UnitedRotherham113351012-212
20Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest11335912-312
21Coventry CityCoventry122371223-119
22Wycombe WanderersWycombe11218619-137
23Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds11335610-46
24Derby CountyDerby11137516-116

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