Coventry City vs Cardiff City Prediction: Lampard to get off to a flyer

Coventry City have finally announced Frank Lampard as their new head coach, and the former Chelsea manager’s first game in charge will come as the Sky Blues host Cardiff City at the CBS Arena (15:00). Both CCFC’s lost 2-0 in midweek, with Coventry going down at Turf Moor and Cardiff being dealt a hammer blow by relegation rivals QPR in South Wales. 

So can Lampard’s Coventry era begin with a win? Below you will find my Coventry City vs Cardiff City predictions featuring team news and match odds. 

Team News

So, what will Frank do? Well, it seems likely that the 5-2-2-1 formation that Rhys Carr has employed over the last couple of games should be ditched, with Lampard likely to prefer his usual 4-3-3 system. Oliver Dovin could return in goal after a spell on the sidelines, while Jake Bidwell could come in at left-back after he picked up a few minutes at Turf Moor. 

I’d expect Jack Rudoni to line up in midfield with Ben Sheaf and Josh Eccles, but the real excitement could come up front. Tatsuhiro Sakamoto and Ephron Mason-Clark have not been played in their natural positions so far, and I think both could play major roles out wide for Lampard.

The big decision arguably comes up front with Haji Wright still sidelined with an ankle issue. Lampard knows Ellis Simms well and could try and breathe new life into his Coventry career, but Norman Bassette has impressed in his last two games, scoring the equaliser against Sheffield United last weekend. 

For Cardiff, Omer Riza is looking for solutions. Joe Ralls came in for a rare start in midweek but that backfired as QPR took all three points. I’d expect David Turnbull to come back into the midfield to replace him, Yakou Meite to feature on the wing and potentially Chris Willock to be handed more minutes as well. 

How they could do with the return of Aaron Ramsey, who remains out with an injury, while Kion Etete and Ryotaro Tsunoda are also sidelined and will miss this game. 

Coventry City vs Cardiff City Odds

Coventry are priced at 4/5 to win this game, with Cardiff available at 7/2. That gives the home side an implied win probability of 55%, while a draw can be backed at 11/4. Over 2.5 goals is 5/6, BTTS is 4/5 and Ellis Simms is the favourite to open the scoring at 9/2. 

Coventry to win and BTTS @ 13/5

I’ve got to back my boys to win this one. It’s a new era, and the CBS Arena will be bouncing to welcome Lampard to the dugout. You couldn’t have picked a better opening fixture either, and Cardiff are coming into this game low on confidence. It seems unlikely now that Riza will get the permanent job and perhaps they will take their chances in the managerial market as well. 

Cardiff’s squad doesn’t look like one that will get clear of danger this season, and I think Cov can take full advantage. However, given the poor defending I have watched this season, which has seen the home side concede eight goals in their last four games, I also think the Bluebirds can find the net. I’m not sure Lampard will be able to solve the defensive woes in a matter of days, but he can get off to a winning start. 

Over 3.5 Coventry goals @ 8/1

How about some fireworks for Frank? He speaks of playing a high-pressing game and against one of the Championship’s worst teams, it could pay off in style. The Bluebirds have conceded 26 goals in 17 matches so far, but they are also winless on the road, having drawn four and lost four of their eight away matches so far. 

I think Coventry, backed by a raucous atmosphere willing to cheer on a new era, could make light work of Cardiff. This will be 90 minutes for Lampard to show what he is capable of, and I don’t think he will let his new side take their foot off the gas. Good odds on offer here for a big home win. 

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