Coventry City

This is a Midlands derby with potentially significant repercussions for both sides' play-off hopes, as sixth-placed Coventry City take on West Bromwich Albion, one place and three points below them on Good Friday (15:00 BST).

The Sky Blues saw two important points slip through their fingers with Hull City's late equaliser on Monday and know any kind of repeat in this play-off six-pointer will give great hope to the Baggies - who bounced back from three straight defeats with a win against Watford last time out - and the chasing pack.

• Coventry City have lost each of their past four league games against West Brom, scoring only once in these defeats.

• West Brom have won four of their past six visits to Coventry (D1 L1), winning 2-0 there last season under Carlos Corberan.

• Coventry have won three of their past five league games on Good Friday (D1 L1), beating Huddersfield Town 3-1 last season.

• Among all teams to play 20+ league games on Good Friday, only Torquay United (10.5%) and Stoke City (12.5%) have a lower win ratio than West Bromwich Albion (15.4%, six wins in 39 games).

• West Brom's Tom Fellows has more Championship assists than any other player this season (13), 11 of which have come from open play – he's the only player with 10+ assists from open play in the competition this term.

Image source, Getty Images

West Bromwich Albion have already set themselves the challenge of winning their last five games this season to stand a chance of reaching the Championship play-offs for the second successive year.

And Saturday's 2-1 home win over Watford made it 'one down, four to go'.

Mikey Johnston got what proved to be the winner at The Hawthorns, only his third goal of a comparatively disappointing campaign, given the form he was in this time last season on loan from Celtic.

Now Albion face an even tougher test, at Frank Lampard's Coventry City on Good Friday.

And Johnston, who scored what also proved to be the winner in a 2-1 victory over the Sky Blues 13 months ago, believes Albion are well capable.

"I know they've been on a good run," Johnston told BBC Radio WM. "But we're confident we can beat them. We need to win and feel we can, as we do about every game. But we also need to score more goals."

In the three straight defeats that preceded Saturday's win, Johnston reckons that losing 1-0 to both Norwich and Sunderland was all down to missed chances. And he includes himself as being among those who need to do better.

"The Sunderland and Norwich games, and Watford too, should have been put to bed a lot earlier," he said.

"I should have scored a lot more this season. I'm always trying to get on the end of crosses. It's about getting into the right positions. But it's given us confidence that we're creating a lot of chances."

Albion start the day seventh, three points behind sixth-placed Coventry. Victory would lift Tony Mowbray's men above his old club on goal difference. Defeat would make the gap six points with three games left.

The very definition of a six-pointer.

Image source, Rex Features

Coventry City midfielder Matt Grimes says Monday night's 1-1 draw with Hull City was "disappointing" but keeps them on track to reach the Championship play-offs.

The 29-year-old put the Sky Blues ahead just after half-time with a deflected effort for his first goal for the club since joining from Swansea City in January.

But Abu Kamara squeezed in a late equaliser for the Tigers to deny Coventry from moving five points clear of seventh-placed West Bromwich Albion.

"Obviously it's a tough place to come with them fighting for what they're fighting for at this stage of the season," Grimes told BBC CWR.

"But [I'm] disappointed in the end to draw the game. I thought we had enough chances at 1-0 to get the second and then disappointed to concede a soft goal like that.

"But it's a point in the right direction, so we move on."

Grimes says he is "hopeful" Coventry can finish in a top-six spot but is wary that "everyone at this stage of the season is playing for something".

"I think we play two teams fighting for the top six and two trying to avoid relegation, so every game is so tough," he said.

Frank Lampard's side welcome the Baggies on Good Friday for a vital game in the play-off race with Albion three points behind before travelling to Plymouth and Luton.

"Every game is a big game," Grimes added.

"I don't think it's going to hinge on one game. We just need to keep being consistent and keep doing what we're doing."

Listen to Matt Grimes' full interview on BBC Sounds.

Image source, Rex Features

Coventry City boss Frank Lampard has been speaking to BBC CWR before the trip to relegation-battling Hull City on Monday night (20:00 BST).

Here are the main takeaways as the Sky Blues look to keep their play-off bid on track:

• Victor Torp suffered a twisted ankle in the 1-0 win over Portsmouth on Wednesday and is likely to be unavailable. "We hope it's a low level ankle ligament one so we'll have to assess it," Lampard said.

• On facing Hull: "It's a tough game at any time going to Hull but they're fighting for their own points for their reasons and so are we. They've beaten some big teams recently as well, took some big scalps. We have to be absolutely mentally focused and ready for a very tough evening."

• It "doesn't matter" who you face at this stage of the season, Lampard said. "You can't read your fixture list and over-analyse it because we've seen big teams at the top of the league lose points in recent weeks in games. Motivation comes in different ways. Teams at the bottom, it can bring a real lift."

• Lampard admitted it is "hard" not to look at other results, especially with Coventry playing after every other team at the weekend. "But pushing it to the side and focusing is a really important skill at this point," he said. "It's important we just think about what we do."

• On whether the players are handling the pressure of the play-off battle well: "They are. Just in their demeanour and how they are, the drive of the group. I think we've seen that in recent performances. The Portsmouth game, scoring in the last minute, that shows character - and also maybe where we've come from because we were in a relegation position, looking over our shoulder and now we've moved up the table. We don't have less to lose, we've all got the same to lose at this point but the change in feel is a big thing for us."

Just one win from their past four games has seen Hull City drop back into trouble in the Championship.

Coventry City have won seven of their past 10 league games but have lost two of their past three outings.

• Hull have lost just one of their past six league games against Coventry (W3 D2), though that sole defeat did come in the reverse fixture back in December (2-1).

• Coventry will be looking to record a first league double against Hull since the 2006-07 campaign.

• Hull have picked up fewer points at home in the Championship this season than any other side (19), losing nine of their 20 home league matches (W4 D7).

• Coventry have lost both of their past two away league games, last losing three on the spin in November 2023.

• Hull have lost 11 of their past 16 league games played on a Monday (W3 D2). Meanwhile, Coventry have only won one of their past 18 away league games on this day of the week (D4 L13), although that was their most recent at Middlesbrough on New Year's Day 2024 (3-1).

Image source, Rex Features

Boss Frank Lampard hailed Jamie Paterson's "special" winner which kept Coventry City's play-off push on track.

Hometown hero Paterson fired home an injury-time volley, his first goal since signing for the club in February, to break Portsmouth hearts and take the Sky Blues back into the Championship's top six with five games remaining.

Lampard told BBC Radio CWR: "We got what we deserved. It was amazing because I thought it would be one of those nights.

"They were dogged and made it hard for us. But we pushed and we pushed, and for 'Pato' to score that goal is something very special.

"He's a fan of the club, Coventry is him. For him to score a goal of that quality is very special.

"To show such agility is top level. He's added to the group in the dressing room, and the training ground, and he gives me good options.

"It was a tough game. We hit the post, they threw their bodies in front of us, but we showed great character. If you have spirit you push to the end, so it's a big plus for us.

"We know the race we're in. We were looking downwards when I came in, now we're pushing for the play-offs."

Listen to Frank Lampard's full interview on BBC Sounds.

Rob Gurney
Sports editor, BBC CWR

Image source, PA Media/Rex Features

It's not an exaggeration to say that Frank Lampard's team selection for Wednesday's home game against Portsmouth (20:00 BST) is the biggest call of his short managerial career so far with the Sky Blues.

Brad Collins' confidence is clearly gossamer-thin after another high-profile error, for which he was at least partially culpable along with Liam Kitching, ultimately costing City potentially something against Burnley.

But his likely replacement Ben Wilson is understood to still not be 100% confident in his troublesome knee - an injury that's sidelined him since October.

So what does Lampard do? Give Collins another vote of confidence, even though it's clear that the defenders have a trust issue with him?

I would argue the vast majority of fans also do and you can't tell me his personal nightmare at Fratton Park in the 4-1 defeat just before Christmas won't at least flicker through his mind if he was selected.

Or does he bring Wilson back, risk his knee flaring up again, and have to call on Collins from the bench? Arguably a much worse scenario psychologically for all concerned.

The third way, as it were, is to involve Luke Bell somewhere along the line, having just recalled him from his loan at Southern League side Gloucester City.

Pick Wilson, with Bell as his back-up, or bolder still, choose the 21-year-old to make his senior debut from the start?

That's clearly the riskiest strategy of all, but choosing either of the other two carries potential pitfalls as well.

It's an unenviable decision, one I wouldn't want to make, but it could be a season-defining moment.

Coventry City goalkeeper Brad Collins was involved in a mix-up with defender Liam Kitching for Burnley's second goal in the 2-1 defeat on Saturday.

The 28-year-old deputised for first-choice keeper Oliver Dovin, who suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury at Sheffield United on 28 March.

But there are concerns about Collins starting against Portsmouth on Wednesday among some supporters, including Adrian Over and Lily Sloman who appeared on the Sky Blues Fancast with BBC CWR's Rob Gurney.

"I can't see a situation where Brad Collins can play against Portsmouth, can you?" Gurney asked the panel.

"It depends on whether [Ben] Wilson is fit enough," Over said. "I know he's been on the bench but there was a suggestion that he's not really fit to play.

"I'm not sure the modern game for goalkeepers suits Brad [Collins]. He actually made one really good save after conceding that goal.

"He made some good saves when he came on against Sheffield United. Coming on against the league leaders when you're 3-0 down is a bit of a thankless task and I thought he did well to keep the score down.

"It reminded us of things he was doing at the end of last season, what happened on Saturday, so I think probably bring Wilson in if he's fit enough but I do feel very sorry for Collins."

Sloman added: "I think I would like to see Wilson in goal, I think that would be nice. But then again with Collins, you don't want to shatter his confidence even more."

Listen to the latest episode of the Sky Blues Fancast on BBC Sounds.

Coventry City welcome Portsmouth for an important clash at both ends of the Championship table on Wednesday night (20:00 BST).

The Sky Blues are seventh and outside the play-off spots by just one point but since a run of nine wins in 10 games, Frank Lampard's side have now lost three of their past four.

Portsmouth are four points clear of the relegation zone in 17th and have lost three of their previous four games - Pompey have also won just twice away from home in the league this season (D4 L14).

• Coventry City have won just one of their past seven league meetings with Portsmouth (D2 L4), although that was this exact fixture the last time they hosted Pompey, a 1-0 win in February 2020.

• After their 4-1 win in December, Portsmouth could complete only their second ever league double over Coventry City, previously achieving this in 2018-19.

• Coventry City have not won any of their past eight league games played on a Wednesday (D3 L5) since a 1-0 victory at home to Blackburn in October 2023.

• Portsmouth have lost all five of their midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) league games away from home this season by an aggregate score of 2-14.

• Coventry have lost three of their four league meetings with newly promoted sides this season (W1), last losing four times to promoted sides in a league campaign in 2015-16, and last doing so in the Championship in 2011-12.

Matt Grimes says there is no "disgrace" in losing to the top three teams as Coventry City have suffered two successive defeats in the Championship.

A 2-1 loss to Burnley on the weekend leaves the Sky Blues just outside the play-off places, having also experienced defeat to Sheffield United in their previous game.

Grimes does not think the lost points are the result of pressure building on the Sky Blues after a club record run of nine wins in 10 games had thrust them back into the play-off equation.

"I think there's massive pressure on every game, not just the two defeats that we've had," Grimes told BBC Radio CWR.

"We've lost four in the last 14 games I think, and three of those have been against the top three. I don't think there's any disgrace in that.

"We've give everyone a good game and like any game that we lose, we'll be looking to bounce back."

Jaidon Anthony scored twice for the Clarets to take the win at the CBS Arena - but Grimes isn't looking to rue on any defensive frailties that might have supplied the forward his time to shine.

Anthony's winner was something of a gift as miscommunication between goalkeeper Bradley Collins and defender Liam Kitching on the edge of the area in attempting to clear the ball, presented the Burnley forward with an unguarded net.

"Between now and then end of the season, we'll most likely concede another freak goal like that," Grimes said.

"You get on with it, you stick your chest out and crack on. It's part of the parcel of being a footballer. Another day, it could go either way."

Listen to the full interview and more on The Sky Blues Fancast podcast.

Image source, Rex Features

Coventry City assistant manager Joe Edwards said he was pleased with his side's second-half performance despite a 2-1 Championship defeat by Burnley.

Haji Wright had put the Sky Blues in front but Jadon Anthony's double secured the points for Burnley, sending them top and Coventry out of the play-off places.

Edwards, speaking to BBC Radio CWR after boss Frank Lampard was sent off, praised his team for taking the game to a Burnley side who have conceded just 12 goals all season.

"When you concede a goal like that against a Burnley side who are capable of shutting up shop, the big marker is what's the reaction going to be like," he said.

"That was the positive thing for us because, for the remaining 30 minutes, the game was played in Burnley's half."

Edwards admitted he was unsure why Lampard had been dismissed but refused to comment further.

"I'm here because Frank was sent off, which I was informed of as we came off the pitch," he added.

"Frank's received the red card. I'm not entirely sure what for, to be honest. Obviously there was a bit of frustration from everyone in the stadium and it's boiled over and Frank's been punished.

"The last thing I want to do is get punished myself by speaking too much."

There's precious points in the promotion race as well as Championship history at stake as Burnley head to Coventry for a lunchtime cracker on Saturday (12:30 BST).

Clarets attacker Zian Flemming stands on the verge of a record as he has not tasted defeat in his past 34 appearances in the second tier, since former club Millwall's defeat against Huddersfield a year ago.

A point or more at the CBS Arena would equal former Claret Glen Little's record of 35 appearances without losing while at Reading in 2005/06.

A win could take Burnley top, depending on how Leeds do at Luton at the same time, with leaders Sheffield United, two points ahead, not in action until later on Saturday afternoon.

A victory for the Sky Blues would open up a five-point lead over the play-off chasing pack, for at least a couple of hours.

• Coventry City are winless in their past six league matches against Burnley (D2 L4) since a 1-0 victory in November 2010 under Aidy Boothroyd.

• Burnley have won nine of their past 13 away league games against Coventry (L4), winning each of their last two in the 2011-12 and 2022-23 seasons.

• Coventry have won their past four home league matches – they haven't won more consecutively on home soil since a run of seven between May and October 2021.

• Burnley have kept 28 Championship clean sheets this season, a record by a side in a second tier season. Only two teams have ever kept more in a league season in Football League history – Port Vale in 1953-54 (30) and Gillingham in 1995-96 (29).

• Zian Flemming has had a hand in a goal in each of his past four Championship appearances for Burnley (2 goals, 2 assists); he's unbeaten in each of his last 34 Championship matches, since featuring for Millwall in a defeat to Huddersfield in April 2024, and could equal the longest unbeaten run in Championship history in this game, with Glen Little holding the record at 35.