Coming into this clash in differing moods, Coventry City and Sunderland lock horns at the Coventry Building Society Arena for the first leg of their Championship playoff semi-final on Friday night.
The Sky Blues secured a victory over playoff-chasing Middlesbrough last time out, whilst the Black Cats' struggles continued in the North-East versus Queens Park Rangers.
Match preview
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At the time of the sacking of long-serving head coach Mark Robins in November, Coventry were languishing down in 17th spot in the Championship rankings, seemingly destined for a campaign of underachievement, but Frank Lampard has since arrived and produced a 29-game masterclass in the East Midlands.
The former Chelsea and Everton boss has turned his side's fortunes around at the CBS Arena, where the Sky Blues have only lost to promoted duo Leeds United and Burnley since that change in the dugout earlier in the term, highlighting the task that awaits Sunderland on Friday night.
Back-to-back away defeats at relegation-threatened Plymouth Argyle and Luton Town recently threatened to throw Coventry out of the post-season picture, but another memorable afternoon at the CBS Arena was on the cards on the final day, when the hosts beat Michael Carrick's Middlesbrough 2-0.
Breaching the net of Mark Travers in both halves, Jack Rudoni continues to make an exceptional contribution to the Sky Blues as they target a long-awaited return to the riches of the Premier League, with the summer signing from Huddersfield Town scoring nine and assisting 12 goals in the Championship this term.
Whilst Rudoni sets the world alight, Coventry's leading marksman Haji Wright will be aiming to make a big impact on Friday night following a dry patch in front of net recently, with the USA international scoring just once across his six most recent league appearances.
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With their playoff position already confirmed a few weeks ago, Sunderland have stumbled and stuttered to the finish line of the regular Championship season, with Friday night's visitors enduring a six-game winless streak, a woeful run that was extended against QPR on Saturday afternoon.
A fifth-minute strike from attacking midfielder Nicolas Madsen was enough to secure maximum points for the R's at the Stadium of Light, meaning that the struggling Black Cats have lost five straight matches ahead of the all-important trip to Coventry, scoring just one goal in the painful process.
Despite a severe dip in form of late, Sunderland were undoubtedly the fourth-best side in the division judged off the Championship table, with Friday's visitors finishing the regular season 14 points behind Sheffield United in third and seven points ahead of fifth-placed Coventry.
The Black cats have suffered a three-game winless streak on their second-tier travels ahead of Friday's trip to the East Midlands, sharing the spoils at Norwich City (0-0), before losing consecutive outings at Bristol City's Ashton Gate (2-1) and Oxford United's Kassam Stadium (2-0).
To a greater extent than Coventry's Captain America Wright, Sunderland's top goalscorer Wilson Isidor is experiencing a severe barren spell, with the former Zenit St Petersburg man failing to find the net in each of his last 13 Championship appearances, last scoring on February 17.
Team News
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Coventry are without the services of first-choice goalkeeper Oliver Dovin (knee), meaning that Ben Wilson should get the nod in between the sticks for the first leg.
The Sky Blues are unable to call upon the talents of a pair of attackers, with Ephron Mason-Clark (foot) and Norman Bassette (hip) occupying spots in the medical room.
Victor Torp remains sidelined for the hosts due to an ankle problem, so January arrival Matt Grimes should start in the engine room alongside Ben Sheaf.
Sunderland are also battling on without a number of attacking stars, with Romaine Mundle (hamstring) and Ian Poveda (leg) expected back in the middle of May.
Jayden Danns's opportunities at the Stadium of Light have been obliterated by a back injury, with the Liverpool loanee yet to feature for the Black Cats.
Coventry City possible starting lineup:
Wilson; Van Ewijk, Thomas, Kitching, Bidwell; Grimes, Sheaf; Sakamoto, Rudoni, Wright; Simms
Sunderland possible starting lineup:
Patterson; Hume, Ballard, O'Nien, Cirkin; Neil, Bellingham, Roberts, Rigg, Le Fee; Mayenda
We say: Coventry City 2-0 Sunderland
In red-hot form at the CBS Arena, Coventry will fancy their chances of earning a considerable first-leg advantage over a stuttering Sunderland on Friday night.
The Black Cats need to turn on the style to avoid a swift exit from the playoffs, and we feel that they will struggle in the East Midlands.
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Carter White
