Sky Blues look to bounce back from Forest defeat with the visit of promotion pushers Watford

Watford travel to St. Andrew’s on Saturday as they also look to retaliate on their sucker punch defeat against QPR.

The circumstances differ for both sides as Xisco Munoz’s team look to build momentum for automatic promotion, whereas Coventry have their sights on solidifying survival.

Both sides come into this game on the back of 2-1 losses, having both chucked away 1-0 leads in the week.

Coventry suffered from a 2-1 home defeat against Nottingham Forest on Tuesday. Maxime Biamou opened the scoring for the Sky Blues, but the Frenchman’s effort turned out to be just a consolation. Forest talisman Lewis Grabban and an own goal from Michael Rose secured all three points for the visitors.

The loss was emptying for Mark Robins’ side as they could’ve steered way clear of the drop. Instead, they sit 18th place prior to Saturday’s encounter, four points off the relegation zone.

On the contrary, Saturday’s visitors Watford also lost 2-1, but to Queens Park Rangers at Vicarage Road. West Bromwich Albion loanee Charlie Austin and Ghanaian international Albert Adomah completed an impressive comeback for Mark Warburton’s outfit.

A trademark Troy Deeney penalty was the Hornets’ consolation goal. It was a golden opportunity for Watford to close in on the top two, however they’ve granted access for Reading, Swansea and Brentford to capitalize on their previous defeat, as they all have a game in hand.

Team News

Coventry City

Coventry boss Robins is without Matt Godden, Tyler Walker, Scotland’s Liam Kelly, Jodi Jones and full-back Fankaty Dabo.

Ben Wilson will not feature for the hosts as he has tested positive for COVID-19. Kyle McFadzean is expected to be available for selection in the forthcoming game weeks.

None of Mark Robins’ squad are out with suspension.

Watford

The visitors will be without Ben Foster, striker Stipe Perica, Christian Kabasele, Isaac Success and midfielder Tom Dele-Bashiru.

Watford also have no players out with suspension.

Coventry City vs Watford: Stats

Coventry haven’t hosted Watford since 2011, with the game ending in a stalemate at the Ricoh Arena. In the past 13 clashes between the two squads, Watford have been the superior outfit.

They go into Saturday’s match having been victorious in seven clashes between the two teams. The other six games have been three draws and three wins for the Sky Blues.

Watford winger Ismaila Sarr scored in both of the Hornets’ last two wins over Coventry, scoring in a 3-0 Carabao Cup victory as well as the winner in a 3-2 Championship meeting. In that previous league meeting, Andre Gray and William Troost-Ekong also chipped in with goal contributions for Watford. Coventry’s player of the season so far Gustavo Hamer and striker Tyler Walker scored both of the Sky Blues’ goals in that fixture.

Image via Action Images

Watford have kept 11 clean sheets this season so far, which is more than double Coventry City’s (six). However, the Hornets have lost more times than they have won away from home, winning three, drawing six but losing four. This may give Robins hope going into the Saturday lunchtime kick-off.

Latest Coventry City league form: L,D,W,L,W

Latest Watford league form: L,D,W,W,W

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