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Preview: Coventry City vs. Norwich City - prediction, team news, head to head

Sports Mole previews Wednesday's Pre-Season Friendlies clash between Coventry City and Norwich City, including predictions, team news and head-to-head records.

Norwich City will attempt to extend their 100% record during pre-season when they square off against Coventry City on Wednesday.

In sharp contrast, the Sky Blues head into this fixture having lost each of their friendlies during July, heaping the pressure on Mark Robins's rapidly-changing squad.


Match preview

Norwich City manager Daniel Farke pictured in February 2021© Reuters

On the back of winning the Championship title, Daniel Farke has taken the opportunity to freshen up his Norwich squad with youth and quality.

As it stands, the arrivals of Billy Gilmour and Milot Rashica look like paying off, and more fresh faces will arrive before the end of the summer transfer window.

The Canaries have not faced the toughest of tests during pre-season, getting the better of Lincoln City and Huddersfield Town with three goals and two clean sheets to their name.

Nevertheless, Farke will be delighted with how his developing squad are blending together ahead of their Premier League opener against Liverpool.

Coventry City manager Mark Robins pictured in November 2020© Reuters

While Norwich make the trip to Chesterfield in high spirits, Coventry are becoming increasingly desperate to find some positives from their friendly fixtures.

The Sky Blues have shipped 13 goals in defeats to Sevilla, MK Dons and Cheltenham Town, their only goal coming from Ricardo Dinanga during the first meeting with MK Dons.

Although Robins has not yet reached the stage where he will have long-lasting concerns, he knows that his side can ill-afford to start the new season in their current form.

Robins will be optimistic about a positive response when Coventry make their return to the Ricoh Arena to host Wolverhampton Wanderers on August 1.

However, full focus is currently on trying to cause a surprise against Norwich, opponents who sometimes struggled against them during the last campaign.

Coventry City pre-season friendlies form:
  • L
  • L
  • L
  • L

Norwich City pre-season friendlies form:
  • W
  • W
  • W



Team News

Billy Gilmour in action for Chelsea on December 8, 2020© Reuters

Gilmour may return to the Norwich squad having been left out of the encounter with Huddersfield.

Max Aarons could be provided with a start despite speculation regarding his future, and the same could apply to Todd Cantwell as Norwich wait for one of many interested clubs to meet their asking price.

Having played the full 90 minutes against the Terriers, new signing Pierre Lees-Melou could drop down to the substitutes' bench.

Robins is expected to make alterations to his Coventry XI, with Martyn Waghorn and Viktor Gyokeres in line for opportunities in attack.

Josh Pask was an early withdrawal against Cheltenham, leaving him as an injury doubt for this contest.


Head To Head

As many as 124 competitive matches have taken place between these two sides, including three in the space of a couple of months at the turn of the year.

While Coventry held Norwich at Carrow Road in the Championship, they succumbed by 2-0 scorelines in the FA Cup and the reverse league fixture.


SM words green background

We say: Coventry City 0-2 Norwich City

Given their respective records in recent weeks, we can only predict a comfortable win for the Premier League side.

An improved performance may be Robins's priority, and keeping goals down to a minimum could be regarded as a successful outcome.

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Derby County's Martyn Waghorn celebrates scoring against Nottingham Forest in the Championship on October 23, 2020
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