Coventry vs Preston predictions: Sky Blues can maintain their serene progress
Daniel Childs
Coventry have won their last five matches
Preston have gone five games without winning
Recommended bet: Coventry win to nil
Coventry hold a five-point lead at the Championship summit and will be pushing for a sixth straight victory when taking on out-of-sorts Preston at the CBS Arena.
Maintaining consistency in the second tier is always a challenge and Coventry went through a blip from the start of December to the end of January with just 15 points taken over a 12-game period.
However, they have looked back to the best in recent weeks and showed a strong mentality in Saturday’s 2-0 triumph at Bristol City, where they were successful despite Joel Latibeaudiere’s first half red card.
While Coventry seem bang on course for the Premier League, Preston appear certain to stay in the second tier.
Paul Heckingbottom’s side started the season strongly and spent a lot of time in the play-off positions.
But standards have slipped in recent weeks and they head to the West Midlands with the aim of snapping a five-game winless run.
Team news
Joel Latibeaudiere’s one-match ban creates an opportunity for Liam Kitching, who is set to feature alongside Luke Woolfenden in central defence for the hosts.
Bobby Thomas and Jack Rudoni (both calf) will be absent until after the international break and Oliver Dovin (knee) and Miguel Brau (muscle strain) complete the injured Coventry contingent.
Preston continue without first-choice keeper Daniel Iversen, who has been absent since early January with a groin strain.
Changes are expected after Friday’s loss to Oxford with Daniel Jebbison and Brad Potts among the players hoping for recalls.
The stats
Coventry have kept clean sheets in three of their last six fixtures.
The Sky Blues have started the scoring in seven of their last nine matches.
Coventry have scored at least two goals in each of their last five games.
Preston have failed to score in six of their last 11 matches.
Four of Preston’s last five losses have been by a margin of at least two goals.
Prediction
Coventry are the Championship’s top scorers but they also have a steely side and can register a victory and a clean sheet against Preston, who are going through a difficult spell.
Sky Blues’ manager Frank Lampard is being tested by the absences of key trio Rudoni, Thomas and Latibeaudiere, but he has a decent squad and can come up with a successful formula.
Coventry were fully focused on the basics during their weekend win at Bristol City and will be determined to show a similar face against Preston, who are keen to ditch the losing habit.
Preston’s mid-table position could allow them to play with greater freedom.
However, Paul Heckingbottom’s side were far from their best in Friday’s 3-1 loss at home to Oxford and they are unlikely to flourish on one of their toughest trips of the season.
