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Coventry City host Sunderland in the first leg of the second EFL Championship play-off semi-final on Friday. While the hosts finished fifth in the regular season, Sunderland ended sixth.
Frank Lampard's Coventry won 2-0 at home to Middlesbrough on the final day to qualify for the play-offs. Jack Rudoni scored on either side of the break. After opening the scoring on the cusp of half-time, Rudoni did so again three minutes from time to confirm all three points for the Sky Blues.
Snapping a two-game losing streak, Lampard's side finished fifth, with 69 points from 46 games, winning 20.
Meanwhile, Regis Le Bris' Sunderland ended the regular season with a 1-0 home loss to Queens Park Rangers. Nicolas Madsen's fifth-minute strike was enough to sink the Black Cats at the Stadium of Light.
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Despite suffering a fifth straight loss, Le Bris' side had already qualified for the play-offs going into the final day. They finished the regular season in fourth place, with 76 points from 46 games, winning 21.
On that note, here's a look at the head-to-head stats and key numbers, match prediction, and betting tips for the Coventry-Sunderland Championship play-off semi-final at the Coventry Building Society Arena.
Coventry City vs Sunderland head-to-head stats and key numbers
- In 48 meetings across competitions, Coventry lead Sunderland 18-12, with their last clash ending in a 3-0 loss at Coventry in March.
- Coventry are unbeaten in 10 games in the fixture across competitions, winning five.
- The Sky Blues have won seven of their last eight home games - all in the Championship - losing one.
- Sunderland have won once in their last five road outings - all in the Championship - losing thrice, including the last two.
- Form guide (last five games across competitions, most recent result first): Coventry: W-L-L-W-D; Sunderland: L-L-L-L-L
Coventry City vs Sunderland prediction
Both teams have had decent campaigns as they seek Premier League promotion. While Coventry are the more in-form side, Sunderland's five-game losing skid - part of a six-game winless run - saw them slip out of potential top-two contention.
In terms of the head-to-head record, the Sky Blues have dominated Sunderland, especially in recent meetings, drawing 2-2 away and winning 3-0 at home in their two regular-season meetings.
Moreover, the Black Cats are winless in 13 visits to Coventry, losing eight, since 1985, and have won only one of their last eight away play-off semi-finals, so expect the Sky Blues to take the win.
Prediction: Coventry City 2-0 Sunderland
Coventry City vs Sunderland betting tips
Tip-1: Coventry to win
Tip-2: Coventry to keep a clean sheet: Yes (They haven't conceded in three of their last four meetings in the fixture.)
Tip-3: Over 1.5 goals: Yes (Four of their last five meetings have had at least two goals.)
