Horse Racing analyst Will Smith has had a good look at all this weekend's ante-post markets, and provides a 7/1 EW selection in the Grade 2 novices' chase at Newbury on Friday.
In this highly anticipated Championship clash, Bristol City and Coventry City lock horns on a Saturday afternoon. Both teams find themselves in a similar position in the league standings, sitting just three points adrift of the playoff spots. Despite experiencing contrasting periods of form, these two clubs occupy the 14th and 13th positions, respectively. As we delve into the details of this enticing fixture, we’ll provide predictions, team news, and possible lineups to keep you well-informed.
Bristol City vs Coventry Betting Tips | ||
---|---|---|
Selection | Odds | Bookie |
Coventry | 2/1 | ![]() |
1-2 | 10/1 | ![]() |
In the world of football, inconsistency can often become a norm for some teams, and Bristol City are no exception. Their supporters have become accustomed to this rollercoaster ride, and the recent dip in form has undoubtedly raised some concerns. Prior to the international break, Bristol City faced a string of challenges, resulting in three defeats out of their last four matches. Their solitary victory during this period came against the struggling 23rd-placed Rotherham United.
Nigel Pearson, the experienced manager, is well aware of the need for his squad to find their way back to victory. Two of the losses can be attributed to challenging away fixtures against Leicester City and Leeds United, but the disappointment was palpable when they succumbed to a 3-2 defeat at home to a struggling Stoke City side. Despite these setbacks, Bristol City remains a mere three points away from the top six, thanks in part to their commendable defensive record. Having conceded only 13 goals in 11 games, their defensive prowess is evident.
However, it’s worth noting that they’ve kept just one clean sheet in their last nine outings, which might be concerning given their occasional struggles in front of the goal.
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On the other side of the pitch, Coventry City are showing signs of improvement. They’ve managed to gather eight points from their last four matches, a feat that instils hope among their supporters. Victories over Queens Park Rangers and Blackburn Rovers were followed by a commendable 1-1 draw at home to Norwich City in their most recent outing. These results have propelled Coventry to a position within touching distance of the playoff spots.
Mark Robins, Coventry’s manager, has reasons to be confident about his team’s capabilities, especially considering the prospect of securing a second consecutive away victory. However, it’s worth noting that Coventry have won just three of their 11 matches in the 2023-24 second tier, with six draws in tow. Their most recent eight league encounters have seen them consistently finding the back of the net, despite the win-draw pattern that has characterized their season.
Injuries and squad rotation can play pivotal roles in shaping match outcomes. Andreas Weimann may find himself back in Bristol City’s starting XI after his recent appearances from the substitutes’ bench. Jason Knight is expected to make way, potentially being the only change that Nigel Pearson will introduce.
Coventry, on the other hand, may opt for alterations in their starting lineup. Milan van Ewijk’s return from a brief spell on the sidelines offers a fresh perspective. Joel Latibeaudiere and Matt Godden are pushing for recalls, while Liam Kitching and Haji Wright could potentially be dropped from the squad. It’s worth noting that Liam Kelly, Ben Sheaf, and Kasey Palmer remain sidelined due to injuries.
As the two teams prepare to battle it out on the pitch, the pendulum of favourability has swung towards Coventry’s direction. While Bristol City may have been considered favourites a few weeks ago, current circumstances make this contest highly unpredictable. Expect a closely-fought contest where the visitors may just edge out a victory in the latter stages.
Prediction: Bristol City 1-2 Coventry
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