West Brom vs Coventry Prediction: Baggies to maintain play-off push

West Brom are firmly in the hunt for a top-six finish in the Championship, and they can strengthen their play-off claims with a victory over Coventry on Friday, 1st Match.

The Baggies start the weekend in fifth place, while 9th-placed Coventry also haven't given up hope of prolonging their campaign, and a cagey contest looks likely at the Hawthorns in a match which kicks off at 8pm.

Team news

Carlos Corberan is unlikely to stray too far away from the side who drew 1-1 at Hull last Saturday. Brandon Thomas-Asante has joined fellow strikers Daryl Dike and Josh Maja on the sidelines for the Baggies, meaning winger Jed Wallace may continue through the middle.

Tatsuhiro Sakamoto's season is over after he picked up a back injury against Preston North End, but Fabio Tavares is pushing to stay in the Coventry starting line-up following his two-goal salvo against Maidstone in the FA Cup on Monday. Ben Sheaf and Jamie Allen remain out, and Mark Robins has limited options in the middle of the park, with Josh Eccles and Joel Latibeaudiere expected to start.

Match odds

West Brom are 23/20 to secure a league double over the Sky Blues, who are 12/5 to secure an away win. The draw is a 23/10 shot, while both teams to score is 8/11 and under 2.5 goals is quoted at 4/5. 

West Brom to win @ 23/20

West Brom have lost just one of their last six league matches - to high-flying Southampton -  and they have a good recent record against Coventry which suggests they can claim another crucial three points on Friday evening.

The Baggies have lost just one of their last eight meetings with the Sky Blues and the last two meetings have seen them win without conceding. Clean sheets have been a common theme in this contest over recent years and that may be another avenue to explore.

Coventry secured a morale-boosting 5-0 win over Maidstone in the FA Cup on Monday, but the quick turnaround time could work against them, so a narrow home win looks the best bet at 23/20.

The Sky Blues have lost seven of their 17 away league fixtures this season but have been improving in recent weeks. However, West Brom have won five of their last six Championship matches at the Hawthorns, with their only losses in their last 15 home games coming against top-four sides.

A home victory is fancied here, with a win to nil at 5/2 worth considering, while 1-0 or 2-0 may be the way to go for correct-score backers at 13/2 and 9/1 respectively.

One or both teams not to score @ EVS

There is plenty to play for in this contest and that could lead to a cagey affair, and recent meetings point to having a bet on one or both teams not to score at EVS.

That outcome has occurred in 14 of the last 15 meetings between these two in all competitions and West Brom have kept clean sheets in four of their last eight matches on home soil.

Coventry could ask plenty of questions as they have a good goalscoring record on the road, scoring in their last 10 away games, but they may quickly feel the effects of their FA Cup outing on Monday.

The extra time to prepare should benefit the Baggies who can take full advantage with narrow victory.

It was 2-0 to West Brom when these two last met in October and a similar outcome looks likely in this reverse fixture.

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