Coventry City will be searching for their first win since before Christmas when they host struggling Huddersfield Town at the Coventry Building Society Arena on Saturday afternoon in the Championship.
This fixture was originally scheduled at the start of the season, but due to pitch issues at the CBS Arena as well as both teams failing to progress in the FA Cup, the meeting will take place this weekend.
Match preview
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Despite Coventry's situation off the field starting to look more positive after the recent takeover of the club by local businessman Doug King, the Sky Blues' Championship campaign is in danger of petering out after a poor run of results.
Mark Robins's men are currently winless in their last six matches in all competitions - the real low point of that run being when Coventry were dumped out of the FA Cup in front of their home supporters by fifth-tier Wrexham at the start of January.
Two successive league defeats have followed that embarrassing result in the cup - albeit those losses have come against league-leaders Burnley and a Norwich City side rejuvenated under the new stewardship of David Wagner.
Nevertheless, the Sky Blues have fell significantly behind the playoff pace in recent weeks due to their inability to pick up points, with the West Midlands outfit now sitting 15th in the second-tier standings, seven points behind sixth-placed Middlesbrough.
Supporters have been calling for the new hierarchy to back Robins in the transfer market this month, and although most fans appreciate the recent loan signings of Josh Wilson-Esbrand and Brooke Norton-Cuffy, there is a feeling the squad would benefit from securing one or two permanent recruits before the window shuts next week.
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Huddersfield have shown signs of recovery over the past month under the management of Mark Fotheringham, but they still find themselves embroiled in a battle to maintain their second-tier status this season.
A pair of league successes against Preston North End and fellow strugglers Rotherham United lifted the Terriers off the foot of the Championship standings at the end of 2022, but Fotheringham's men are yet to record a victory in January during a three-game run which includes an FA Cup exit to the aforementioned Lilywhites.
The Yorkshire side were incredibly close to all three points against Hull City last weekend after Michal Helik netted a first-half header at the MKM Stadium, but unfortunately for the visitors that day Colombian striker Oscar Estupinan scored a 98th-minute equaliser for the Tigers to force a share of the spoils.
The Terriers remain in the relegation zone heading into this weekend having collected 26 points from as many Championship matches, with managerless Cardiff City sitting three points ahead of them in 21st position.
Fotheringham's side have only won twice in 12 second-tier away outings so far this campaign and have collected just nine points on their travels - two fewer than any other side in the division.
Team News
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Coventry City's new signing Luke McNally is set for his first start for the club after making the loan move from Burnley this week, with the 23-year-old defender looking to fill a Kyle McFadzean-shaped hole in the Sky Blues' backline.
Robins has been boosted this week by the return of strikers Tyler Walker and Matty Gooden to first-team training after their respective injuries, although it is understood Saturday's game is likely to come too soon for the pair, meaning Viktor Gyokeres will lead the hosts' attack once again.
Midfielder Josh Eccles has also returned to training in the build-up to this clash after a ligament injury but is unlikely to feature, with Gustavo Hamer and Ben Sheaf set to retain their places in the Coventry midfield.
Huddersfield will be without striker Martyn Waghorn for the trip to the Midlands due to the terms in his loan deal from their opponents on Saturday, meaning Championship veteran Jordan Rhodes will keep his place in the Terriers XI.
Fotheringham lost influential wing-back Sorba Thomas to Blackburn Rovers on Wednesday, meaning Matthew Lowton is set for an extended spell in the XI as a result on the right side of the Town defence.
Nicholas Bilokapic will remain between the sticks on Saturday for the visitors as the club scramble to bring in an experienced goalkeeping option before the transfer window shuts following the shoulder injury sustained by Lee Nicholls.
Yuta Nakayama is still sidelined for the Terriers after picking up an Achilles tendon injury back in October, with the 25-year-old expected to be out for the remainder of the campaign.
Coventry City possible starting lineup:
Wilson; McNally, Rose, Panzo; Dabo, Hamer, Sheaf, Wilson-Esbrand; Palmer, Allen, Gyokeres
Huddersfield Town possible starting lineup:
Bilokapic; Lees, Helik, Boyle; Lowton, Hogg, High, Ruffels; Holmes, Rudoni, Rhodes
We say: Coventry City 2-1 Huddersfield Town
Coventry are on a poor run of form and will be relishing the opportunity to earn three points against a struggling Huddersfield side, especially with the majority of Championship teams in FA Cup action this weekend.
The Terriers are never blown away in matches but are winless in 2023 so far, with the trip to the CBS Arena a tricky place to change that statistic.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Carter White
