Coventry vs Millwall Prediction: Lions can tame the leaders

The headline game in Tuesday's Championship programme sees leaders Coventry City hosting fourth-placed Millwall at the Coventry Building Society Arena (19:45 GMT kick-off, Sky Sports+).

The Sky Blues lead Middlesbrough by six points after 27 league games and head into the match after breaking a four-game winless run by beating Leicester 2-1 at home on Saturday.

The Lions made a slow start to the campaign but have been among the playoff contenders for a while now and are now only three points off an automatic promotion place, despite still having a negative goal difference.

Below are my Coventry vs Millwall predictions, complete with all the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

Coventry should field a largely unchanged team with goalkeeper Oliver Dovin and defender Kaine Kesler-Hayden still injured, while Bobby Thomas completes a suspension.

One possible change could see striker Haji Wright getting a start after scoring the winner against Leicester from off the bench.

Millwall manager Alex Neil is still without the injured Will Smallbone, Massimo Luongo and Derek Mazou-Sacko, but midfielder Casper De Norre was back in action against Watford after a month-long lay-off.

Football Odds

Today's Football Fixtures

Coventry vs Millwall Odds

Coventry are odds-on favourites at home at 7/10, with Millwall the 4/1 outsiders and the draw priced at 11/4.

Over 2.5 goals is priced at 4/5, with under 2.5 at 1/1. It's 4/5 that both teams score in the match and 10/11 that one or both teams fail to get on the scoresheet.

Draw @ 13/5

Millwall have their tails up after taking 10 points from their last four games and they can extend their unbeaten run in the Championship to six games by claiming a point on their visit to leaders Coventry

The Lions' 2-0 win at Watford on Saturday was an eye-catching effort and it was the 10th time in 13 league away games that Neil's team had avoided defeat.

Coventry's lofty position in the standings has been built around their excellent home form with 10 wins in 13 games at the Coventry Building Society Arena, but Ipswich inflicted their first loss of the season there just after Christmas and the Lions could deny the hosts a full return too.

Coventry followed that game with a draw at Charlton and defeats to Birmingham in the league and Stoke in the FA Cup, and they no longer look as far clear of their rivals as they did in the autumn.

The Sky Blues' winless run was within five minutes of extending to five games when sub Wright completed their comeback from 1-0 down against the Foxes, but in-form Millwall are capable of giving them a real test.

The Londoners are one of only five teams to have beaten Coventry this season thanks to their 2-1 home EFL Cup win in August, although the first league meeting between the teams saw the Sky Blues triumph 4-0 at the Den in October.

The fortunes of both teams are different now and a close contest is expected.

Mihailo Ivanovic anytime goalscorer @ 13/5

Millwall are a team who share the goals around, but Serbian striker Mihailo Ivanovic is second to Femi Azeez in their league top scorer list and could be the player to unlock the Coventry defence.

Ivanovic scored 13 league and cup goals for the Lions last season in his first EFL campaign, finishing in fine form with seven goals in his final nine games.

After a slower start this time, he has notched four goals in his last 12 appearances and has shown he is capable of netting on the road after striking at Portsmouth and Bristol City before opening the scoring in the recent home win over Swansea.

2 Up Early Payout

Pre-Match Football bets on the 2 Up Early Payout market in selected games. Paid as a winner within 5 minutes if your team goes 2 goals ahead. Selected leagues only. 90 mins only. T&Cs Apply.

Sports Welcome Offer

New customers only. Deposit via Debit Card & place first bet £10+ (1/1+) on Sports in 7 days. £30 Sports & £20 Acca Free Bets within 10 hrs of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility, payment excl. & T&Cs Apply.

You can read all our latest Football Betting Tips at our dedicated Betfred Insights content hub.