Sunderland vs Coventry City Prediction: Sunderland trying to break in top six

Sunderland will welcome Coventry City at Stadium of Light in Game Week 23 of the English Championship. Sunderland hoping for to get closer to top six in the game against Coventry. Who will come out on top after 90 minutes?

Sunderland form

When Beale decided to leave Queens Park Rangers for Rangers just over a year ago, he could not have predicted that he would now be at Sunderland. However, after a disappointing spell at Ibrox, Beale may feel that he has landed on his feet at the Stadium of Light, as the club is just below the Championship playoffs. Recent victories over West Bromwich Albion and Leeds United, under temporary management, have played a significant role in this. Although Sunderland suffered a 1-0 defeat against Bristol City in their last game, they have performed well at home, collecting 12 points from their last five matches at their North-East base. Despite not winning an away game since September 29, the team is only three points away from fifth place. This sets the stage for Beale to take the team to the next level, although his appointment is still a topic of debate.

It is likely that Beale, the new Sunderland boss, will recall Jobe Bellingham, who was rested and on the substitutes' bench in the previous match. One of Pierre Ekwah or Alex Pritchard is expected to be replaced in the team, but the rest of the starting lineup could remain the same due to previous successful performances against teams ranked higher than them. However, Beale has to decide whether to keep Jack Clarke as a number nine or move him back to the flank. 

Sunderland Predicted Lineup

Patterson; Huggins, O'Nien, Ballard, Hume; Bellingham, Neil; Roberts, Pritchard, Ba; Clarke.

Coventry City form

Mark Robins and his Coventry City squad will see this as an opportunity to disrupt Sunderland's progress and boost their own campaign. After a lackluster start to the season, Coventry has managed to collect 11 points from six games, suffering their only defeat against second-placed Ipswich Town. Following their win over Birmingham City, they have secured consecutive draws against Southampton and Leeds United, two of the top teams in the division. Despite being nine points away from the playoffs, Coventry is moving in the right direction and a victory this weekend would bring them closer to the top half of the table.

Robins, the Coventry City manager, might make minimal changes to his XI as a result of their comeback draw against Leeds. While Callum O'Hare and Haji Wright are both vying for a return in the offensive third, Robins may choose a more defensive-minded approach after it proved to be successful at Elland Road. 

Coventry City Predicted Lineup

Collins; Van Ewijk, Thomas, Kitching, Bidwell; Latibeaudiere; Sakamoto, Eccles, Sheaf, Dasilva; Simms.

Sunderland vs Coventry City Expert Tips

Although Sunderland has gained momentum at the Stadium of Light, Coventry is showing improvement in their away performances. Taking this into account, it would not be surprising to see a competitive and low-scoring draw on Saturday.