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

Coventry City and Stoke square off on Tuesday evening with both clubs needing a victory to get back into the Championship playoff race.

Although they both possess games in hand on the teams above them, the Sky Blues and Potters are seven and six points adrift of sixth position respectively.

Match preview

© Reuters

Having only been edged out 3-2 by runaway leaders Fulham, Stoke boss Michael O'Neill cannot be too disheartened with losing a five-goal thriller at the bet365 Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Nevertheless, it also felt like a case of what could have been, particularly having got back into the contest through Lewis Baker's equaliser in the second half.

O'Neill will be satisfied that the Potters are on an upward trajectory, however, with three strong performances with several new signings being produced since their poor efforts at the turn of the year.

Sitting six points adrift of Huddersfield Town with two matches in hand, Stoke's fate is just about in their own hands right now, but they travel to the Terriers at the weekend.

That scenario heaps the pressure on O'Neill's team ahead of this contest, and the Northern Irishman will be hoping that D'Margio Wright-Phillips can build on scoring his first professional goal versus the Cottagers.

© Reuters

Coventry also enter this contest feeling a sense of frustration, Mark Robins's team having had the better of the game against Queens Park Rangers before succumbing to a late 2-1 defeat.

Not only did they lose to a fellow playoff rival, their disappointing run was extended to just one win in eight games, that solitary success coming at struggling Peterborough United.

Given that they have been in the top half of the table all season, the fact that no relegation battle is on the horizon is no longer deemed satisfactory, and Robins will be expected to engineer improvements over the coming weeks and months.

Coventry also no longer possess one of the best home records in the division, a consequence of losing their last three fixtures at the Ricoh Arena.

Team News

© Reuters

Having made his debut as a second-half substitute against QPR, Jake Bidwell could start for Coventry at left wing-back, allowing Jordan Shipley to be used further forward.

Martyn Waghorn is pushing for a recall ahead of Viktor Gyokeres in attack, but the remainder of the team could stay the same.

Despite the level of performance produced against Fulham, Stoke boss O'Neill will be tempted to introduce some fresh legs.

Either Sam Clucas or Lewis Baker, who has not played regular senior football this season, could be replaced by Mario Vrancic in the middle of the pitch.

Tyrese Campbell is an alternative up-front, while Morgan Fox may be used on the left-hand side of a back three ahead of James Chester.

Coventry City possible starting lineup:
Moore; Hyam, McFadzean, Clarke-Salter; Kane, Hamer, Sheaf, Bidwell; O'Hare, Shipley; Waghorn

Stoke City possible starting lineup:
Bonham; Harwood-Bellis, Jagielka, Chester; Smith, Baker, Allen, Vrancic, Tymon; Campbell, Wright-Phillips

We say: Coventry City 1-1 Stoke City

With both clubs being inconsistency personified, this is a difficult match to call. Even though Stoke would have taken more positives from their performance at the weekend, we still expect this contest to end in a share of the spoils.

Previews by email