Coventry City host Middlesbrough in a huge Sky Bet Championship clash in the race for promotion.
Victory would see Coventry move above their visitors and back onto the Championship’s summit, whilst Middlesbrough can stay top with a win and open a five-point gap to Mark Robins’ Sky Blues.
Team News
Frank Onyeka and Jahnoah Markelo are still awaiting their debuts for Coventry following their moves in January’s transfer window.
Ephron Mason-Clark (foot) could return if he passes late fitness checks, but Kaine Kesler-Hayden (ankle) and Oliver Dovin (knee) remain absent.
Middlesbrough could welcome Leo Castledine back into contention after he missed their last two matches with a knock, although he will face a late fitness test before the teamsheet is announced.
Alex Bangura, George Edmundson (both unspecified), Alfie Jones (ankle) and Darragh Lenihan (Achilles) remain ruled out.
When is Kick-Off?
Coventry host Middlesbrough at CBS Arena on Monday 16 February at 8pm GMT, live on ITV4 and Sky Sports in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Coventry are unbeaten in their last seven regular-season meetings against Middlesbrough (W6, D1).
- Middlesbrough have lost their last four regular-season visits to Coventry (L4).
- Coventry have kept clean sheets in their last five home games against Middlesbrough; including their post-season play-off semi-final in May 2023 (W4, D1).
- Coventry haven’t gone four games without a league win since a five-match streak in November 2024.
- Tommy Conway has scored four goals in three of his last four appearances for Middlesbrough (W4).
Prediction
Now no longer sat top of the table and having hit a mid-season rut when those just behind them are building momentum, Coventry really need to find a way to step it up a gear after a wasteful dominant home display in their goalless draw against Oxford United, in which they couldn’t convert any of their 24 goals into goals.
Middlesbrough meanwhile rode their luck at times at Sheffield United yet they were crucially clinical and able to build a 2-0 lead at one of their bogey grounds, which proved crucial as they dug deep defensively for the win despite conceding midway through the second half.
This clash therefore feels season-defining because if Middlesbrough win this then promotion is theirs to lose and Coventry are definitely in a scrap for the second automatic promotion spot, but if the hosts win then this promotion race has more twists to come before the final day.
My instinct however is that this could well be a draw if Coventry can find their scoring boots again but Middlesbrough are a well-organised team, so this will be close but a point apiece feels like a fair call.
Prediction: Coventry 1-1 Middlesbrough
