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Analysis: A look into Coventry City

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Bottom of the league Coventry City host out-of-form Sheffield United on Wednesday night.

Even though the Blades have won just 2pts out of a possible 12 since the Championship resumed, they are in 2nd place with only goal difference keeping them off the top spot. 

The Sky Blues are at rock bottom having won twice all season. However, those two wins have come in the last five games. Mark Robins side does have three games in hand.

Mark Robins has stuck with the tried and tested 3-5-2 this season. This is how I think Coventry City will line up on Wednesday night:

Hamer has served his suspension, and I think he will slot straight back into their midfield.

Coventry City attacks down the sides more often than not, particularly down the left. They attack down the left 43% of the time, which is the highest in the league. 

They look to create a two-vs-two with their wingback and a central midfielder, hoping to get behind the opposition wingback in order to create a high-percentage crossing opportunity.

In their last game, the Sky Blues were effective at creating goal-scoring opportunities from the flanks. Bidwell, the left-wingback, made two key passes while completing three of his seven crossing attempts. 

Against Cardiff City, Coventry conceded 10 goal attempts from set pieces alone. 

Coventry looks to run in behind the opposition often, but they do regularly get caught offside – suffering the 7th most offside fouls per game. 

From open play, they have scored the lowest number of goals out of anybody else in the division – only four goals scored from open play. 

The Sky Blues take aim from outside of the box 43% of the time, which is the 3rd most in the league. Hamer, who I predict to return to the side on Wednesday, has shot all 12 of his attempts from beyond the arch. 

Coventry City is not great at defending their box, allowing 66% of the opposition’s attempts from inside the 18-yard box, which ultimately is the highest in the Championship.

Mark Robins side is at the bottom of the league, 4pts from safety, though they do have three games in hand over the majority of the league. The Blades will be thinking this is an ideal game to get 3pts on the board, but, I think Coventry City supporters will feel the same way given United’s poor form in recent weeks. 

However, United will be aided by the return of Oli McBurnie up top, and Anel Ahmedhodzic in the back three.

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