Lovely link-up play down the left from the visitors.

But City's defence holds firm again.

They have only shipped 11 goals in 16 league games here at St Andrew's - and you can see why.

Matt Godden's scoring feats certainly seem to come in fits and starts.

He'd gone 10 games without a goal when he suddenly came up with back-to-back hat-tricks against Wycombe and Tranmere over the festive periods.

Image source, Rex Features

Then he went seven without scoring.

But now the August signing from Peterborough United has struck four times in five games - and today's may yet prove to be the most important of them all if it takes City top.

First booking of the game - and surprisingly it's to a keeper - Coventry's Marko Marosi, for throwing the ball away.

Petty, but disappointing after the way referee Michael Salisbury had previously been so lenient - and had let things flow nicely.

It has certainly been competitive stuff so far on St David's Day at St Andrew's.

Challenges flying in. Good, committed stuff.

Both sides look like they really want to win.

Brookler: A draw would be ideal for those of us with a Pompey persuasion.

Well, it should be 1-1 - Tom Flanagan really should have brought the Black Cats level a few moments ago.

Image source, Rex Features

This not the first time Coventry have led Sunderland this season.

The Sky Blues were in front at the Stadium of Light when the two sides last met at the back on 23 November.

Sunderland equalised that day in the 90th minute through teenager Benji Kimpioka - and they have already come close twice, though Wyke and now Tom Flanagan.

This is a huge game in League One between two huge clubs - so get involved by letting us know your thoughts by using #bbcefl.

Coventry fans - against all the odds, the nomadic Sky Blues have put together a promotion push. Can they see the job through? What a start Matt Godden has given you today.

And Sunderland supporters, had you given up on hopes of regaining your Championship status until the Black Cats' fine recent run? Can you go up this year after last season's play-off final heartache?

Sunderland go close to a leveller at St Andrew's as Charlie Wyke hammers a right-foot volley just wide from outside the box.

He has only scored six times this season - bit four of them have been in that improved run from 14 December onwards.

It's a cold day in the second city, but the wind has dropped and the sun is out. And we're off and running at St Andrew's.

Coventry City make one change from the midweek 1-1 home draw with leaders Rotherham United, bringing in Jamie Allen for Max Biamou.

Sunderland are unchanged from their own midweek 1-1 home draw when Max Power's 97th-minute equaliser shared the spoils with another promotion-chasing side, Fleetwood.

Coventry: Marosi, Rose, McFadzean, Hyam, Dabo, Kelly, Walsh, McCallum, Allen, O'Hare, Godden.

Subs: Wilson, Biamou, Pask, Giles, Bakayoko, Westbrooke, Shipley.

Sunderland: J McLaughlin, Willis, Ozturk, Flanagan, O'Nien, Dobson, Power, Hume, Maguire, Wyke, Gooch.

Subs: Burge, C McLaughlin, Lynch, Grigg, Scowen, Semenyo, Lafferty.

Sunderland were down in 15th place on Boxing Day - and Phil Parkinson's position as manager was supposedly under threat.

There was even newspaper talk of Coventry boss Mark Robins being lined up to replace him.

But the response since to that pressure situation has been amazing.

Image source, Getty Images

Nine wins in 13 games, just one defeat. And, if they win today, they will supplant Coventry in the automatic promotion places.

Equally, if City win, they go ahead of Rotherham United on top. All to play for in Birmingham.

Other than their comparatively poor home crowds, Coventry City have so far shown little negative reaction at playing 20 miles away in Birmingham.

In 16 home league matches so far, they have lost just once, a shock defeat at home to struggling Tranmere in October.

Image source, Getty Images

Since losing at Shrewsbury on 14 December, their only defeat in 16 league and cup games was the FA Cup fourth-round replay with landlords Birmingham City - and even that was on penalties.

They have conceded just four goals in their last eight games - and they have two in-form strikers in Matt Godden, nine goals since Boxing Day, and Max Biamou.

Good morning - and welcome to the Sunday lunchtime meeting of League One promotion rivals Coventry City and Sunderland - at the home of Birmingham City, St Andrew's.

Almost exactly 20 years ago, in February 2000, this was a Premier League fixture, at Highfield Road, with big names like Robbie Keane, Mustapha Hadji and Cedric Roussel giving the Sky Blues a 3-0 lead inside 18 minutes, only for goals from Kevin Phillips and Alex Rae to make it interesting before Gordon Strachan's City claimed a 3-2 home win.

Image source, Getty Images

Today, the Sky Blues and the Black Cats are two levels below that. And Coventry are playing at their third different home since leaving Highfield Road in 2005.

Both have been through a lot over the past 20 years - but 2020 has so far started a lot more kindly for two former top-flight clubs looking to get back to the second tier.

Since 14 December, they have suffered just one league defeat between them to emerge as real promotion challengers.