Coventry grabbed their first win of the Premier League season before the break but face a difficult task following that up when they host a Newcastle United side they haven’t enjoyed facing of late.
Match News and Current Form
A 1-0 win away to Midlands rivals Nottingham Forest was pressure relieving for Coventry boss Frank Lampard, who collected just his second victory from his last 22 managerial games in the Premier League (D4, L16). Both of those victories came on the road, meaning his last ten home games overseen in the top flight all proved fruitless (D2, L8), with defeats to nil in both such games for Coventry this season meaning they could become just the sixth side in Premier League history to lose their first three home games of the season without scoring. Their last such outing also produced their heaviest-ever Premier League home defeat in a 5-0 reversal against Brighton, and a run of one win in seven Monday-held games (D2, L4) is hardly likely to lift spirits.
Newcastle have made a solid start to life after Eddie Howe this season, picking up eight points from their opening five games (W2, D2, L1). New boss Matthias Jaissle’s points haul is the largest attained by a Newcastle manager in his first five Premier League games in charge since Alan Pardew in January 2011 (9), and a win here would give the German the most points in his first six in charge of the Magpies in this competition since Sam Allardyce in September 2007 (11). Securing that feat on the road may be easier said than done though, as Newcastle have only won one of their last six away league games (D1, L4).
Head-to-Head History
Coventry have lost seven of the last eight league H2Hs (W1), including each of the last five. Winning their last two away league H2Hs affords Newcastle the chance of registering three victories in succession at Coventry for the first time ever.
Hot Stats and Streaks
Only against Crystal Palace (5) has Lampard won more Premier League games as a manager than against Newcastle (3).
Coventry are one of only two Premier League sides yet to score a first-half goal pre-round.
Newcastle have faced a pre-round league-high 97 shots this season.
Newcastle have kept only one clean sheet in their last 13 league games.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Jack Rudoni still awaits his first Premier League goal and may have to be patient since his last ten in the league for Coventry all arrived after the 30th minute. Former Coventry man Jacob Murphy has already collected three yellow cards this season despite committing just two fouls!
Coventry’s Taiwo Awoniyi is still suspended, but Milan van Ewijk is in line to return. Newcastle will be without Anthony Elanga, while Lewis Miley picked up an injury whilst with England U21s.
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Betting Analysis
The underlying stats have conspired against Newcastle this season, so a Coventry win offers good value.
Author: Chris Wilson