)
Two former England greats will take on each other as managers when Wayne Rooney takes his Plymouth side to visit Frank Lampard’s Coventry for a Championship clash on Boxing Day. Here are predictions, team news, betting tips, and possible line-ups for the game.
Currently 17th in the standings, Coventry City have 18 points after 22 matches and are only six points above the relegation zone.
The Sky Blues are coming off a 4-1 loss at Portsmouth last Saturday, their second consecutive away defeat, a 10th in this campaign, and just the second since Lampard took over the affairs of the team in November.
Lampard’s former England teammate and fellow Premier League great, Rooney, is in an even more dire situation, with his Plymouth side currently bottom of the Championship table.
)
Despite taking the lead three times, the Pilgrims conceded three times to draw 3-3 at home to Middlesbrough in their last outing, last tasting league victory in November.
Coventry vs. Plymouth Argyle Head to Head
The Pilgrims boast a slight edge in their head-to-head record with 28 wins to Coventry's 24, but recent history favours the Sky Blues, with Plymouth struggling to find a winning formula against them. In fact, the visitors have secured only one victory in their last seven encounters.
Draws have been a recurring theme in this fixture, with 12 stalemates punctuating their rivalry. The last encounter ended in a 2-2 draw, and a stalemate on Thursday will see this fixture produce two draws in a row for the first time since 1948.
Coventry vs. Plymouth Argyle Team News and Possible Lineups
)
The absence of star striker Haji Wright continues to be a significant blow for Coventry, but the potential return of goalkeeper Ben Wilson, sidelined since early October, could provide a much-needed boost to their morale and defensive solidity.
Lampard is expected to ring in the changes, with Jamie Allen likely to be given an opportunity to impress alongside Ben Sheaf in midfield.
Plymouth, meanwhile, face a challenging trip to the Midlands with their attacking options severely depleted.
The injuries to Ryan Hardie and Michael Obafemi leave Archie Gray as their only fit striker, a daunting prospect for a side striving to climb the table.
Further compounding their woes, key players like Ibrahim Cissoko and Morgan Whittaker remain sidelined.
)
Coventry Predicted lineup (4-5-1)
Collins (GK); Van Ewijk, Latibeaudiere, Kitching, Bidwell; Allen, Sheaf, Sakamoto, Rudoni, Mason-Clark; Bassette
Plymouth Argyle Predicted lineup (4-5-1)
Grimshaw (GK); Mumba, Szucs, Gibson, Galloway; Randell, Gyabi, Bundu, Al Hajj, Issaka; Gray
Time and Where to Watch Coventry vs. Plymouth Argyle
Coventry vs. Plymouth Argyle will kick off at 16:00 Nigerian time on Boxing Day, and it will be broadcasted live on DSTV.
Coventry vs. Plymouth Argyle Predictions & Betting Tips
While Coventry have their flaws and are coming off a loss, they remain clear favourites to win this game, as they have proven to be a better team than Plymouth in this campaign, with the visitors especially terrible on the road.
Coventry to win
Coventry to score over 1.5 goals
Second Half Over 0.5 goals
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)