COVENTRY CITY are hoping to revive their play-off challenge when they travel to relegation threatened Reading this weekend.
The Sky Blues were held to a 1-1 draw by Blackpool in midweek as City were made to pay for a number of missed opportunities.
Their opponents Reading were edged out 2-1 by Bristol City as they look to snap a poor run of recent form which includes losing to National League North side Kidderminster Harriers in the third round of the FA Cup.
Coventry currently sit 13th in the Championship table, five points outside of the play-off places whilst Reading are down in 21st just two points above the relegation zone.
FORM
The Sky Blues rescued a point against the Tangerines on Tuesday night with Viktor Gyokeres cancelling out former City loanee Gary Madine’s opener.
That leaves Coventry winless in their last three games in all competitions having taken Premier League Southampton to extra-time in the FA Cup last weekend.
Reading are on a 10-game winless run in all competitions having suffered a 7-0 reverse at the hands of Fulham and conceded four against both Huddersfield Town and Queens Park Rangers during that period.
The Royals have the second leakiest defence in the division, conceding 57 goals in their 29 matches and last won in the league at the end of November.
TEAM NEWS
Mark Robins has confirmed that both captain Liam Kelly and Josh Eccles are set to be sidelined for several weeks with hamstring and calf injuries respectively.
Reading have a host of injury problems with Scott Dann (hamstring), Alen Halilovic (hamstring), Femi Azeez (ankle) and Yakou Meite (ACL) all ruled out.
KEY PLAYERS
Coventry – Viktor Gyokeres – The Swede has found his scoring touch again of late, netting three goals in his last four matches including one against Saints.
And coming up against an uncertain Reading defence, the Sky Blues top goalscorer will be looking to add to his tally this weekend.
Reading – John Swift – The midfielder has contributed to 20 of Reading’s 34 goals in the league this season with nine goals and 11 assists.
That includes scoring a penalty at the Coventry Building Society Arena back in August, and netted again from the spot against the Robins in midweek.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The two teams last met in the league in August last year when City snatched a last gasp 2-1 victory at the CBS Arena thanks to Matty Godden’s 98th minute strike with Jamie Allen also on target.
Coventry’s last win at Reading came back in February 2005 as second-half goals from Gary McSheffrey and Stern John secured a 2-1 win having failed to beat the Royals in their last six visits.
The Sky Blues have a worse head-to-head record against Reading having won 20, drawn 17 and lost 28 games across 65 meetings.
PREDICTION
Reading 0-2 Coventry – City have been playing better than their results have deserved of late and should be able to take the points against a Reading side bereft of confidence.
Coventry’s clash with Reading takes place on Saturday, February 12 with kick-off at 3pm at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.
