COVENTRY City return to Championship action against high-flying Hull City this weekend having last played in the league a fortnight ago.
The Sky Blues were forced to postpone their home fixture against Huddersfield Town last weekend which means they have played just two league matches this season.
Their opponents Hull have made an impressive start to the season, losing just one of their opening five matches.
However, they were thrashed by West Bromwich Albion last time out which may have halted their early season momentum.
FORM
City have dropped to the bottom of the Championship table having played three games less than the majority of the teams in the division.
Coventry were beaten 3-2 away at Millwall in their last outing as City surrendered a two-goal lead and had Gustavo Hamer sent off in the second half.
Hull have won both of their home matches this season, seeing off Bristol City and Norwich City respectively, whilst also battling to away draws at Preston North End and Burnley.
The Tigers shipped five goals at the Hawthorns last weekend but still sit sixth in the table and could move top with a win and if other results go their way this weekend.
TEAM NEWS
The Sky Blues will be without key midfielder Hamer who will serve his one-game suspension whilst Callum O’Hare remains sidelined with manager Mark Robins confirming he will miss six to eight weeks.
Todd Kane and Liam Kelly also look set to miss out as they continue to recover from injury.
Hull have had a busy transfer window and have made a number of notable signings which includes bringing in Tobias Figueiredo and Jean Michaël Seri who won promotion with Nottingham Forest and Fulham respectively last season.
Additionally, the East Yorkshire club have also signed Turkey international Ozan Tufan and Colombian striker Óscar Estupiñán who has four goals in his opening five league games.
However, Shota Arveladze did lose key asset Keane Lewis-Potter to Premier League side Brentford in a £16m deal after the forward scored 12 goals last season.
The club signed former Coventry defender Cyrus Christie earlier today and hope to register the Republic of Ireland international in time for him to feature against the Sky Blues this weekend.
Hull boss Arveladze has confirmed that Tyler Smith and Ryan Longman are available for selection again with Brandon Fleming, Greg Docherty, Seri, Tufan, Doğukan Sinik, Allahyar Sayyadmanesh and James Scott all unavailable.
KEY PLAYERS
Coventry – Ben Sheaf – With both Hamer and O’Hare missing, Sheaf will need to control the game for City in what is likely to be a tough midfield battle at the MKM Stadium.
Sheaf has made a steady start to the season and has won more aerial duels per game (3) than any other Sky Blues player this term.
Hull – Óscar Estupiñán – The striker has scored braces against Norwich and West Brom this season and is currently top scorer in the Championship this season.
Estupiñán netted 15 goals in Portugal’s top flight last season and made his international debut for Colombia earlier this summer.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The two teams last met in the league in March earlier this year as City suffered a surprise 2-0 home defeat at the CBS Arena a result which dented their play-off hopes.
Coventry did however secure a 1-0 win on their last visit to the MKM Stadium with Matty Godden’s early goal proving decisive.
City have a slightly worse overall head-to-head record against Hull having won 17, drawn nine and lost 19 games across 45 meetings.
PREDICTION
Hull 1-1 Coventry – The Sky Blues will hope to secure their first win of the season but are likely to miss the influence of both Hamer and O’Hare in East Yorkshire.
Coventry’s clash with Hull takes place on Saturday, August 27 with kick-off at 3pm at the MKM Stadium.
