Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Championship match.
Sunderland are still dropping points but remain top of the table. Coventry City, after an unexpected away victory, were defeated at home. Both clubs have reasons to seek redemption in front of their fans.
Sunderland
A silver lining in Sunderland's negative run is their ability to keep clean sheets for three consecutive games. After Oxford United, neither Queens Park Rangers nor Preston North End managed to breach Simon Moore's goal, resulting in draws. This clean sheet streak is held by the team's second-choice goalkeeper since their first-choice keeper Anthony Patterson is still troubled by a leg injury and hasn't been included in the squad. If Patterson doesn't recover, Moore will face his former club this weekend, having joined Sunderland as a free agent last summer after spending recent seasons mostly on the bench.
Coventry City
In the last round, and in most of their matches, the responsibility of retrieving the ball from Coventry's net fell to Oliver Dovin—a Swedish-Nigerian goalkeeper born in London. The 22-year-old goalkeeper signed from Hammarby this summer. His only clean sheet came two rounds ago when the West Midlands club thrashed Middlesbrough (3:0) away, aided by an early red card for Middlesbrough in the 22nd minute. However, last round, Coventry City allowed Derby County to clinch their first away win (2:1).
Sunderland vs Coventry City Prediction
Considering Coventry's inconsistency, which has them languishing in the lower standings, and Sunderland's solid defence under any goalkeeper, we believe Sunderland's misfortune and lack of precision will end, resulting in a victory for them in this encounter.
