Verdict: Haji Wright to score anytime
Best Odds: 13/8
Bookmaker: Luckster
Hoping to find a route back into the play-off places, Coventry will welcome Portsmouth to the Midlands on Wednesday night.
Coventry
Starting with the hosts, while Coventry might have enjoyed a sensational start following Frank Lampard’s arrival back in November, the Sky Blues are seeking a recent boost. Last seen over the weekend falling to a 2-1 loss at the hands of Burnley, the former Everton boss has seen his squad lose three of their previous four Championship appearances. Sacrificing their spot in the play-off places, the Midlands-based outfit are desperate to get their charge back on track here. Nevertheless, heading into March’s international break with a remarkable 3-0 romp against Sunderland, Lampard’s camp will be excited by their success on home soil. In fact, Coventry have registered 12 points from their previous five Championship showdowns on home soil. Opening the midweek fixtures sat just one-point adrift of breaking into back into the play-off spots, the Sky Blues should be smelling a real opportunity.
Coventry Team News
Suffering what was a long-term knee injury last week and set to underdog surgery, Swedish goalkeeper Oliver Dovin will miss the remainder of the season. However, despite missing out against Burnley over the weekend, former Salford starlet Brandon Thomas-Asante could return to Lampard’s squad here.
Bagging what proved to be a consolation strike against Burnley on Saturday and now notching four goals in his last three Championship appearances, Haji Wright will lead the line. Arriving from Swansea during the January transfer window, Matt Grimes will start in the middle of the park.
Portsmouth
As for the visitors, while Portsmouth might have enjoyed a real February purple patch, John Mousinho’s men have largely come crashing back down to earth. Making an immediate return to losing ways over the weekend as they fell to a 2-1 loss away at Millwall, the Blues have now lost three of their previous four Championship appearances. Heading into March’s international break with consecutive 2-1 defeats against Preston and Plymouth, Wednesday’s guests have also gained an unwanted reputation for their issues on the road. Along with losing each of their previous three Championship battles away from Fratton Park by an aggregate score of 5-2, Pompey have remarkably lost 11 of their last 12 showdowns outside of Hampshire – a rut that stems all the way back to a 2-2 stalemate against Swansea on November 30th.
Portsmouth Team News
All still dealing with respective injury issues, Portsmouth will once again be without the likes of Conor Shaughnessy, Jacob Farrell and Northern Ireland international Paddy Lane on Wednesday night. However, returning to Mousinho’s squad over the weekend, former Liverpool youngster Harvey Blair should get some more minutes under his belt.
Notching five Championship strikes so far this calendar year, Colby Bishop will play a leading role in the final third. Making a real impact after arriving on a loan switch from West Ham last summer, Freddie Potts will partner Andre Dozzell in the middle of the park.
Coventry vs Portsmouth Key Factors to Consider
- When Coventry and Portsmouth met for their reverse Championship meeting on December 21st, Pompey collected a 4-1 romp at Fratton Park.
- However, Portsmouth have remarkably lost 11 of their previous 12 matchups away from Fratton Park.
- Coventry have registered 12 points from their previous five Championship showdowns on home soil.
- Portsmouth have conceded at least a pair of goals in six of their last eight matchups away from Fratton Park.
- USA international Haji Wright has notched four goals in his last three Championship appearances.
Conclusion
Desperate to find a route back into the play-off places on Wednesday night, Coventry should be smelling a real opportunity here. Despite falling to a shock 4-1 loss when they travelled to Fratton Park on December 21st, they will meet a Portsmouth squad that have gained a reputation for their glaring issues on the road. With Wednesday’s guests remarkably losing 11 of their previous 12 showdowns outside of Hampshire, the Sky Blues will be looking to make a top-six statement in midweek.
Verdict: Haji Wright to score anytime
Best Odds: 13/8
Bookmaker: Luckster
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