COVENTRY City head to former landlords Birmingham City this weekend, seeking to end their six-game winless run in the league.
City showed signs of improvement away at Luton Town in midweek but are still awaiting their first win of the campaign having endured a difficult start to the season.
And the Sky Blues should be full of confidence for the trip to St Andrew’s having played home matches at the ground for two seasons from 2019 to 2021 in which they achieved promotion to the second tier.
Their opponents Birmingham have made an indifferent start to the campaign and find themselves in mid-table after a summer of change in the West Midlands.
The club is now under new ownership and have a new manager in place this season as they look to avoid being dragged into another relegation battle.
FORM
City remain bottom of the Sky Bet Championship table after twice coming from behind to draw 2-2 at Kenilworth Road on Wednesday night.
However, the performance was an improvement on their recent outings as Viktor Gyokeres and Gus Hamer struck to end a five-game losing run in all competitions.
Birmingham have won their last two matches in the league but have tasted victory just once on home soil this season – a 2-1 success against Huddersfield Town last month.
Blues won a five-goal thriller against West Midlands rivals West Bromwich Albion in midweek with Scott Hogan netting a hat-trick.
TEAM NEWS
The Sky Blues lost defender Michael Rose to injury in midweek and will also be without Liam Kelly and Callum O’Hare with the latter set to be available soon after the upcoming international break.
Birmingham made some eye-catching signings in the transfer window including experienced goalkeeper John Ruddy and Manchester United pair Tahith Chong (permanent) and Hannibal Mejbri (loan).
Blues are set to be without Marc Roberts (hamstring), Harlee Dean (leg) and Przemyslaw Placheta (ankle).
KEY PLAYERS
Coventry – Gus Hamer – The Brazilian looked back to his best in midweek and rounded off a fine display with a trademark goal from distance.
Hamer was on target against Blues when the teams met in January 2021 and needs to be at the heart of Coventry’s play this weekend to inspire City to victory.
Birmingham – Scott Hogan – The Republic of Ireland international has scored in two of Birmingham’s four home games this season and has five goals to his name overall after a hat-trick in midweek.
Hogan is in red hot form and will look to cause the Sky Blues plenty of problems with Coventry yet to record a clean sheet this season.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The two teams last met in April earlier this year when the Sky Blues romped to a 4-2 win at St Andrew’s with Ben Sheaf at the double as City came from two goals down to claim victory.
Coventry are unbeaten in their last five league matches against Blues with three of the last four meetings ending in draws.
City have a worse overall head-to-head record against Birmingham having won 18, drawn 19 and lost 24 games across 61 meetings.
PREDICTION
Birmingham 1-2 Coventry – The Sky Blues need a win to breathe some life into their season and should be confident of taking the points at a ground they know well.
Coventry’s clash with Birmingham takes place on Saturday, September 17 with kick-off at 3pm at St Andrew’s.
