Sunderland vs Coventry Prediction: 50/1 shot for first goalscorer

After winning a tense and dramatic first leg late on, Sunderland fans will be dreaming of Wembley as they host Coventry City on Tuesday night (20:00, Sky Sports Main Event). That late Eliezer Mayenda goal has tipped the balance of the tie firmly in the Black Cats’ favour, and the Sky Blues will have to pull off something special to reach Wembley for the third consecutive season. 

Below you can find my Sunderland vs Coventry predictions featuring team news and betting tips. 

Football Odds

Team News

Sunderland are likely to be boosted by the return of Romaine Mundle to the matchday squad, with the winger returning from a hamstring injury in time for this second leg. It remains to be seen whether he is risked from the start, with Regis Le Bris likely to err on the side of caution, especially if the hosts can put the tie to bed in the first half. 

The manager deployed a successful 4-4-2 in the first leg and it will be interesting to see if he sticks with that gameplan here. Wilson Isidor and Mayenda were difficult to deal with on the break as they let the Coventry centre-backs have possession, but will Le Bris demand more control in this second leg?

Enzo Le Fee could switch into the centre alongside Jobe Bellingham and Dan Neil if that is the case, opening space up on that left wing for Mundle or Tom Watson. The back four is unlikely to change after a solid display in the first leg. 

Meanwhile, Frank Lampard will want to see more efficiency from his side as they dominated the ball without producing much in front of goal. Ben Wilson and the back four should remain unchanged, while Ben Sheaf, Matt Grimes and Jack Rudoni are likely to continue in midfield.

The real debate comes in the attacking areas. Brandon Thomas-Asante was chosen to start up front ahead of Ellis Simms, despite Simms starting 12 of the final 16 games of the season. In what appeared to be a strange move, the former Everton man didn’t even get onto the pitch when the Sky Blues were chasing a goal. 

Whether he is thrown back in here remains to be seen, with Thomas-Asante unable to get involved in proceedings. Haji Wright seriously underperformed, but could be picked as the central striker if Ephron-Mason Clark is deemed fit enough to start. A selection issue for Lampard to solve, as he looks to rescue this tie. 

Sunderland vs Coventry odds

Sunderland are priced up at 23/20 to win this second leg, while Coventry are 23/10 to come out with the win after 90 minutes. The draw is up at 5/2, while Sunderland are just 1/6 to win the tie and reach Wembley as they take a one goal advantage back to the Stadium of Light. 

Over 2.5 goals can be backed at 1/1 having come in during the home leg while BTTS is 4/5. Isidor, having opened the scoring at the CBS, is 5/1 to do the same in the second leg. 

Draw @ 5/2 

I believe a draw after 90 minutes, which would send Sunderland to Wembley, is the most likely outcome. What we saw in the first leg was essentially a statistical draw by all accounts, until a late mistake handed Sunderland the win. The away side got their game plan spot on and were able to break dangerously throughout, while Coventry couldn’t make enough of the possession they had. 

I don’t think it will be quite the same at the Stadium of Light, with the Black Cats expected to have more of the ball, but I do believe Coventry can put up enough of a fight to be in the game in the closing stages. Both managers may take this scenario with ten minutes to go, and if the scores are level, expect the home side to retreat and try and hold on to what they have.

These two drew 2-2 at the Stadium of Light earlier in the season, and I can see another score draw happening here. 

Jack Rudoni to score first with a header @ 50/1 

Let’s spice things up a bit with a big price. Betfred now offer a market on selected matches where you can back a player to score first with a certain body part. I’m going to take advantage of this as I feel there’s an obvious contender for the away side at a massive price. 

The Sky Blues will come under pressure in the opening period of the game but if they can get through that and start to keep hold of the ball, they could start to hurt Sunderland. Their main goal threat comes through Rudoni, who has been sensational this season. He’s now scored 10, with six of those being headed goals for a team that has scored the most headers in the division. 

Lampard’s main tactic is to cross the ball into the box, with Coventry having scored 19 headers in total this term, six more than the next-highest total of 13 by Derby County. Rudoni’s size and late runs into the box make him a prime candidate to score these headers, as we saw in the first leg as he smashed a bullet header into the back of the Sunderland net. 

At the Stadium of Light earlier in the season - guess what? He also scored a header as he is so difficult to pick up in those situations. With two headed goals in two matches against Sunderland, I wish we could back this to come in any time. However, we will have to settle for the big price of 50/1 for him to score first with his head. 

Offers

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