Leeds vs Coventry Prediction: Sky Blues to spring major shock?

The Championship continues at its relentless pace this weekend and Leeds United will hope to close the gap on the top two having lost ground after their 1-0 defeat to Sunderland. Daniel Farke’s men host last season’s play-off finalists Coventry City at Elland Road, and below we have previewed this clash. 

Team News

Leeds United have a fully fit squad heading into this game with their attacking unit of Georgino Rutter, Dan James, Joel Piroe and Crycensio Summerville all fit and firing. Meanwhile, Coventry City are also coming back to full fitness, with Fabio Tavares the only notable absentee. 

Match Odds

Leeds United are 1/2 to win this game, while Coventry are priced at 11/2. A draw can be backed at 16/5, BTTS is 4/5 and over 2.5 goals is 4/6. 

Coventry to keep a clean sheet @ 11/2

Now it is clear for many onlookers that Leeds United are the superior team here. On paper, they are one of four truly elite sides at this level and will be desperate to close the widening gap on the top two, Leicester City and Ipswich Town. Those two are performing at an exceptional level this term, but Leeds are also doing well on the whole.

They’ve got an immense squad in terms of quality and depth, and one of the best managers to ever manage at this level in Daniel Farke. But they also came up short against Sunderland last time out and failed to score in a 1-0 defeat. If you combine that with Coventry resurgence since switching to a back four, we could see another frustrating 90 minutes for Leeds. 

Coventry have kept four clean sheets in their last six matches since the formation change and look like a far more competent outfit these days. They could and maybe should have beaten Southampton, as Samuel Edozie rescued a point for the Saints in midweek. Coventry will launch a similar gameplan here, happy to sit behind the ball and catch teams on the break. The 11/2 on them to keep Leeds out for 90 minutes feels overpriced.

Coventry to win to nil @ 11/1

If we think the Sky Blues can keep Leeds out, then we have to take advantage of the 11/1 on offer for them to find a goal, and win to nil. Mark Robins has proven time and time again that his sides play better on the counter-attack, and even though they only managed 28% possession against Leeds, they were well in the game. We can expect that blueprint to be followed here, with the pace of Haji Wright and Ellis Simms likely to cause Leeds problems when they do transition. 

Coventry aren’t going to win this game if they concede a goal, but if they manage to keep Leeds out, then they have every chance of scoring on the break and seriously troubling the home side. The 11/1 on offer for them to win to nil is far too good to turn down. 

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