Sunderland vs Coventry City Prediction: Black Cats set to feast on bereft Sky Blues

It’s been quite the week to be a Coventry City fan. My world was turned upside down on Thursday when after a midweek defeat to Derby, owner Doug King made the decision to part ways with manager Mark Robins. It’s been a hugely unpopular move with the Coventry fans, who have enjoyed four Wembley trips and two promotions under one of their greatest ever managers. 

Now the Sky Blues face a trip to the north-east (15:00, Saturday) with Rhys Carr taking charge of the team. A match against top of the league is the last thing they need before the international break, but below you can find my Sunderland vs Coventry City prediction.

Team News

Simon Moore will start in goal for Sunderland this weekend against his former club, with Sunderland number one Anthony Patterson still out injured. He’s now kept three clean sheets in a row since coming into the team, and will play behind Luke O’Nien and Chris Mepham. 

Aaron Connoly was handed a rare start in midweek along with Tom Watson, but I’d expect Romaine Mundle and Patrick Roberts to come back into the starting line-up. Jobe Bellingham remains suspended after his red card so Chris Rigg, Dan Neil and Alan Browne will make up the midfield trio. 

For Coventry, who knows? Ellis Simms could return from a foot injury that has kept him out of the last two games to play some part, while Norman Bassette is also expected to recover from his concussion. Carr may choose to go to a back four after the change improved things in midweek, with the potential for Ephron Mason-Clark and Jay Dasilva to team up down the left-hand side. 

Josh Eccles is suspended so Victor Torp or Jack Rudoni could partner captain Ben Sheaf in the middle of the pitch. Jamie Allen and Jake Bidwell could return following the international break. There may even be a change in goal if Carr decides to shake things up. 

Sunderland vs Coventry Odds

Sunderland are priced at 6/5 to win this game, with Coventry available at 12/5. That gives the Black Cats a win probablity of 45%, with a draw available at 23/10. Over 2.5 goals is 10/11, BTTS is 8/11 and Wilson Isidor is the favourite to score first at 11/2.

Sunderland to win @ 6/5

The easiest pick of the season. Coventry haven’t looked that bad lately but they’ve just made a massive error by sacking Robins. Now Carr is in charge for this game, and the players may have something to prove, but without Eccles in midfield I can see this being an incredibly long afternoon. 

Sunderland will bring their big hitters back into the starting XI and Regis Le Bris will be delighted he doesn’t have to face Robins this weekend. Coventry have been conceding silly goals this season and there is talent in this squad, but I’m seriously concerned about the trip to the Stadium of Light. This could get messy.  

Sunderland over 3.5 goals @ 10/1

I mean it. This could get seriously messy. The Coventry fans will be singing Mark Robins’ name throughout the 90 minutes and they have now turned against the owner. The players don’t seem particularly happy with the decision either and I’m not sure we will see much of a reaction. 

This is one of the most unpopular manager sackings we have ever seen. And now they have to go to the toughest team in the league who have just rested a couple of key players in midweek. The price of Sunderland to score over 3.5 goals in front of a crowd baying for blood is absolutely massive. 

Offers

Place an In-Play single bet of £10 or more at odds of 1/2+ on any Premier League or Championship game on Friday or Saturday and get £5 in Free Bets to use In-Play on Sunday’s games. (Credited upon Bet Settlement).

Acca Flex: Place a pre-match 5+ leg Football accumulator and get a CASH bonus up to 100% if all of your selections win or your money back as CASH if one leg lets you down.

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