The finish line is in sight for Coventry and Barnsley as they near their respective targets

Coventry City host Barnsley on Sunday afternoon, with both sides having just five league games each left in their calendars. The Sky Blues are closing in on survival at the first time of asking, whilst the Tykes still have a firm grasp on a play-off position going into the game at St Andrew’s.

Mark Robins’ side recorded a victory of monumental importance on Thursday night, winning 1-0 at fellow-strugglers Rotherham United.

The South Yorkshire side have had games in hand on their side in the battle for survival, which made Coventry’s win even more vital with their advantage ahead of the dotted line now stands at six points going into the final five games of the campaign.

Despite contesting the worst away form in the division going into the game at the New York Stadium on Thursday, Coventry were comfortably the better side against a Millers outfit who were playing for the second time in 48 hours. Leo Ostigard’s header 20 minutes from time was no more than what the Sky Blues deserved.

Now up to 18th, Mark Robins and co. will have also been enthused with Derby County’s failure to take a result away from Ewood Park on Friday evening, as Blackburn Rovers came from behind to win 2-1.

That leaves the Rams two points below Coventry having played an extra game and in serious contention of relegation.

On paper, Sunday’s contest will be the toughest of the remaining five for the West Midlands outfit, with Barnsley sat in sixth whilst the other four games are against sides in and around midtable.

Valérien Ismaël’s Barnsley side have been nothing short of a pleasure to watch this season. Having confirmed safety from relegation on the final day of the season last term, the Super Reds are on the brink of a colossal achievement.

Reading’s failure to beat Cardiff City on Friday night gives the South Yorkshire side the opportunity to extend their advantage over seventh-place to seven points, which could all-but seal a playoff spot.

Since Ismaël’s appointment in late October, the Oakwell club have been one of the most entertaining sides in the second-tier, with the likes of Alex Mowatt, Cauley Woodrow, Callum Styles and January signing Daryl Dike some of many outstanding talents in the Championship this season.

The aforementioned Mowatt and Dike are two of the league’s most in-form players. The former was recently awarded Championship player of the month for March, whilst the latter has scored eight goals in 14 league appearances since joining from MLS outfit Orlando City in the January transfer window.

Both players were also the goalscorers last time out as Barnsley edged Middlesbrough 2-0 as goals from Mowatt and Dike in the second half secured their seventh win in ten.

Having suffered just one league defeat in their last 16 games, winning 11 of those, Barnsley go into the game at St Andrew’s as the clear favourites, as a win for either side will all-but secure their respective targets.

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