Relegation-threatened Coventry City host Bristol City with a victory needed for the Sky Blues

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Stumbling Sky Blues face Bristol City who are winless in their previous three league matches. Both teams seek responses to dismal defeats on Good Friday.

Mark Robins’ Coventry go into the encounter on the back of a 3-0 battering against QPR. Mark Warburton’s men thrashed the Sky Blues courtesy of goals from Chris Willock, Ilias Chair and Michael Rose’s own goal.

The visitors require a reaction after suffering a 2-0 loss against mid-table Stoke City. Potters talisman Nick Powell pounced on Adrian Mariappa’s error to open the scoring while Steven Fletcher sealed the three points in the second-half. Friday’s defeat marked the Robins’ seventh consecutive defeat at Ashton Gate.

The good news for Bristol City is they’ll be playing at St Andrew’s for the second time in the space of four matches. Nigel Pearson’s men tormented Birmingham City 3-0 in their last encounter in the West Midlands.

The visitors have picked up just one point from their previous three league games, with a mid-table finish looking inevitable. Despite four defeats in their last six Championship matches, Bristol City have an impressive away record. They have picked up 10 points from a possible 12 in their last four games away from home.

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On the other hand, hosts Coventry are digging themselves a hole in the lower echelons of the table, sinking further and further towards the drop.

Despite their decent defensive record at St Andrew’s, the hosts have won just two of their last 13 league matches and have lacked ruthlessness in front of goal, failing to hit the back of the net in their last three league games.

Since Birmingham City have started to pick up points under new boss Lee Bowyer and Rotherham have several games in hand since their respite, Coventry could return to League One sooner than they first imagined.

The reverse fixture between the two sides was at the beginning of the season in September. Goals from Jamie Paterson and Tomas Kalas got the Robins’ campaign off to a flyer.

The Sky Blues are winless in their previous four encounters against Bristol City. Their most recent win against the Robins was back in February 2014 when both sides featured in League One. Frank Moussa and Andy Webster struck early on in the match to secure the Coventry three points in a 2-1 victory.

Team News

For Coventry City, defender Rose is expected to be replaced by Kyle McFadzean after the defender has served a two-game ban. Ben Sheaf is not in contention nor is Fankaty Dabo. Striker Max Biamou is doubtful meaning Tyler Walker may start from the off.

Meanwhile for Bristol City, Steven Sessegnon is back in contention for the visitors after returning from England under-21 duty.

It remains unlikely Liam Walsh will be involved, however, Famara Diedhiou could be granted a start. Chris Martin, Jay Dasilva and Andreas Weimann remain sidelined with long-term injuries.

Sam Bell is sidelined for the visitors after the teenager suffered an injury against Stoke on Friday. His first start of 2020/21 ended after 16 minutes with a hamstring injury.

Ben Haywood will be providing live coverage at St Andrew’s as Coventry host the Robins in a must-win fixture for both sides.

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