Coventry vs Middlesbrough Prediction: Goals on the cards?

Sky Sports have chosen Coventry vs Middlesbrough as their Main Event game on Saturday (12:30, kick-off), which gives you some idea of just how big this fixture is on the final day. The Sky Blues currently hold that precious sixth spot in the table and they know that a win (barring a massive Millwall victory at Burnley) will guarantee them a play-off spot. 

Meanwhile, Middlesbrough know they have to win to stand a chance of breaking into the top six on Saturday - with all three points taking them above their hosts. Read on to find my Coventry vs Middlesbrough predictions. 

Football Odds

Team News

Coventry’s injury issues have left Frank Lampard with a real selection headache. Milan van Ewijk missed the trip to Luton last time out, and that meant that Joel Latibeaudiere moved over to right-back, with Luis Binks playing at centre-back. Van Ewijk’s groin issue could rule him out again, while Jay Dasilva is now suspended having been sent off at Kenilworth Road. 

That means Jake Bidwell will play at left-back, while there is hope that Bobby Thomas may be fit enough to return at centre-back alongside Liam Kitching. Lampard’s big call will come in goal, where he has kept faith with Brad Collins since Oliver Dovin’s injury, despite a string of errors. Ben Wilson won the Golden Glove in the 2022/23 season, but has been forced to watch on from the bench so far. 

Ephron Mason-Clark may return for the potential play-offs but is out of this one, while Victor Torp and Dovin are long-term absentees. It means Haji Wright will start on the left, with Ellis Simms likely to continue his run of games up top despite his lack of goals. Jack Rudoni, Ben Sheaf and Matt Grimes should make up the midfield three. 

For Middlesbrough, Michael Carrick will be looking to secure a big win and he could make changes for this one. Jonny Howson has done well at centre-back but could be shifted to right-back if George Edmundson comes into the centre of defence. 

Hayden Hackney and Aidan Morris will play in midfield, while a decision needs to be made on Kelechi Iheanacho. He’s been occupying the number 10 role, shifting the effective Finn Azaz onto the left where he hasn’t put up the same numbers. If Azaz is deployed correctly, he will cause trouble, with Morgan Whittaker likely to play on the right, and Delano Burgzorg an alternative option on the left. Tommy Conway will start up front and could add to the 13 goals he has scored so far. 

Coventry vs Middlesbrough Odds

Coventry are priced as the 23/20 favourites to win this game which gives them an implied win probability of 46% heading into this game. Middlesbrough are 11/5 to take the three points while a potentially unhelpful draw is 13/5. 

Over 2.5 goals has come in during 53% of Cov’s games this term and that’s 8/13 while BTTS is 8/15. In terms of first goalscorers, Haji Wright is 5/1 to score first having scored 12 goals so far this term for the Sky Blues.  

Over 3.5 goals @ 6/4

As a Coventry fan, I’m going to steer clear of predicting any result on Saturday, given the magnitude of the game. What I think I am comfortable in predicting is plenty of goals on what should be a belting day at the CBS Arena. Middlesbrough have posted the second-highest xG over the course of the Championship season and they have plenty of players that can cause Coventry problems. 

Conway is a fine finisher, while Azaz and Whittaker will also fancy their chances of getting at a half-fit back four. Meanwhile, Coventry have created the third-highest xG over the course of the campaign, and are far more comfortable playing in front of their home fans. Outside the top two, only Norwich have scored more goals than these two outfits, and they should go hell for leather on Saturday. 

Boro need to win, and so do Coventry so there’s no point holding back. With Coventry’s goalkeeping dilemma Boro are going to want to get shots off at goal and I feel we will be in for an entertaining encounter under two attack-minded managers. 

Bet Builder - Haji Wright, Tommy Conway and Jack Rudoni to score @ 16/1 

A Bet Builder to finish us off this Saturday. I’m backing goals, and I feel there are three obvious goalscorers we can back to find the net at a big price. Wright is the favourite to score first and Cov’s main attacking threat, even though he has been shifted to the left wing. He’s got 12 goals in 26 appearances and with Simms not scoring, is the most likely candidate in sky blue to find the net. 

Conway has 13 goals in 25 for Boro and will be instructed to shoot at will. With Cov’s injuries, he may be afforded some space and will hope to land a devastating blow on the road. Let’s also throw Rudoni into the mix given he has scored seven goals this term and is making excellent late runs into the box, just as his gaffer used to do. He can find the net here at a big price. 

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