Coventry will take on Plymouth on Thursday, 26 December in a festive clash between two teams fighting against relegation from the Championship.
Coventry come into the match on the back of a devastating 4-1 defeat to Portsmouth and Frank Lampard will be eager to bounce back immediately here.
Plymouth, meanwhile, threw away a lead on three occasions last time out against Middlesbrough before settling for a point. Can they win their first match since early November on Thursday?
As part of our festive selection of Championship betting tips, here is our Coventry vs Plymouth prediction.
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Coventry vs Plymouth prediction: More misery for Rooney
Key stats
- Coventry are unbeaten at home under Frank Lampard.
- Plymouth have lost their last three away matches.
- Both teams have scored in three of Coventry's last five matches.
Correct score prediction: Coventry 2-1 Plymouth
Coventry's heavy defeat to Portsmouth last time out will have stunned them so we can't see them running away with this match despite Plymouth's poor form. The Pilgrims did enough to beat Middlesbrough earlier in the week, scoring three goals in the process so they should be good for at least a goal here.
Pre-game odds and win probability: The hosts go in as favourites
- HOME: 1/3 (1.33) – 75%
- DRAW: 9/2 (5.50) – 18.2%
- AWAY: 15/2 (8.50) – 11.8%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
The Coventry vs Plymouth odds indicate that Frank Lampard's side should be walking away with the three points on Boxing Day with minimal fuss. Ladbrokes have given Coventry a 75% chance of winning the match while Plymouth have been given just an 11.8% chance of securing a much-needed victory.
Check out our betting tips today page for more Championship predictions this week.
Most recent H2Hs: Unfamiliar foes
Coventry and Plymouth have only faced each other on four previous occasions in the last ten years with both sides frequently participating in different divisions. Out of those four matches, Plymouth have won one, Coventry have won two and the other finished in a draw. Plymouth haven't won an away match against Coventry since 2008.
England Championship 14/02/24
Plymouth
Coventry
England Championship 28/11/23
Coventry
Plymouth
England League 1 19/01/19
Plymouth
Coventry
England League 1 18/08/18
Coventry
Plymouth
England EFL Trophy 12/11/14
Coventry
Plymouth
Coventry preview: A reality check
Coventry come into the match on the back of a reality check at Fratton Park where any ideas of the Sky Blues launching a playoff charge in the second half of the season were likely put to bed. Lampard will be well aware now that he just needs to steady the ship until May and there is no better fixture to regain confidence than facing bottom of the league at home.
Predicted lineup: Collins (GK), Van Ewijk, Latibeaudiere, Kitching, Bidwell, Sheaf, Allen, Sakamoto, Rudoni, Mason-Clark, Bassette
England Championship 14/04/25
D
Hull
1
Coventry
1
England Championship 09/04/25
W
Portsmouth
0
Coventry
1
England Championship 05/04/25
L
Burnley
2
Coventry
1
England Championship 28/03/25
L
Sheff Utd
3
Coventry
1
England Championship 15/03/25
W
Sunderland
0
Coventry
3
Plymouth preview: Rooney's on thin ice
Earlier in the month, Wayne Rooney brought in a trusted ally, Mike Phelan to be his assistant at Plymouth, signalling that the club were still behind the former Birmingham City boss. However, the arrival of Phelan has yet to produce an upturn in form. If the Pilgrims continue to lose then the board could soon be left with no choice but to relieve Rooney of his duties.
Predicted lineup: Grimshaw (GK), Mumba, Szucs, Gibson, Galloway, Randell, Bundu, Gyabi, Al-Hajj, Issaka, Gray
England Championship 12/04/25
W
Sheff Utd
1
Plymouth
2
England Championship 09/04/25
L
Swansea
3
Plymouth
0
England Championship 05/04/25
W
Norwich
1
Plymouth
2
England Championship 29/03/25
D
Watford
0
Plymouth
0
England Championship 15/03/25
L
Derby
3
Plymouth
2
Player to watch: Ephron Mason-Clark
Ephron Mason-Clark has been a revelation for Coventry ever since Frank Lampard joined the club and has covered exceptionally well for Haji Wright. Mason-Clark has scored three goals and provided two assists in Lampard's five matches in charge of the Sky Blue which mean he is likely to be among the goal action again on Thursday.