Coventry City’s Championship play-offs record is brief but bitter, now they can make up for 2022/23 heartbreak

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As the Sky Blues look to end the season in style, we break down Coventry City’s Championship play-offs record to see whether they stand a chance this year.

It has been an odd season for Coventry City, who started the campaign with Mark Robins before a shock sacking in November paved the way for Frank Lampard to take the helm.

The departure of the highly popular Robins was initially met with negativity by Coventry fans, but Lampard absolutely transformed the Sky Blues and steered them to a record-breaking run of form and turned them into play-off contenders.

There’s no denying Lampard’s impact at Coventry this season, but he has one more big job to do as he and his players prepare for the Championship play-offs.

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Coventry City’s play-offs record explained

Next up for Coventry is a clash with Sunderland in the play-off semi-finals. Interestingly, while we can dissect Sunderland’s play-offs record in great detail, the Sky Blues don’t actually have that much history in this unique and enthralling format.

In fact, Coventry have only participated in the second tier play-offs on one occasion, but they also have a successful experience to call upon from their League Two days.

Here, we dive into Coventry City’s Championship play-offs record to see what we can glean from the past to inform the future.

2022/23 – Championship play-off final defeat

Just a couple of years ago, Coventry made it all the way to the Championship play-off final after finishing fifth in the 2022/23 campaign.

The Sky Blues made it past Middlesbrough in the semi-finals, with a 0-0 draw at the CBS Arena being followed up by a 1-0 win at the Riverside thanks to a goal from now-Sheffield United star and Championship Player of the Year, Gustavo Hamer.

Hamer bagged again in the final against Luton Town, after Jordan Clark had given the Hatters the lead at Wembley. However, the game went to extra-time and then penalties, where Luton prevailed 6-5 to secure their place in the Premier League.

2017/18 – League Two play-off success

Incredibly, it’s not that long ago that Coventry were competing in League Two. After suffering relegation from League One, Mark Robins led the Sky Blues into the fourth tier of the EFL and there were big expectations that they should get promoted immediately.

Coventry didn’t dominate the division as they’d hoped, though, and had to settle for a play-off spot. Funnily enough, Coventry and Morecambe may have had a gentleman’s agreement on the final day of the season that led to a 0-0 draw; enough to seal a top six spot for Coventry and survival for their opponents.

Coventry trounced Notts County in the semi-finals, drawing 1-1 at home before a 4-1 thrashing in the reverse fixture.

They faced Exeter City in the final at Wembley and came out 3-1 winners thanks to goals from Jordan Willis, Jordan Shipley, and Jack Grimmer.

• READ MORE: Frank Lampard says ‘great’ Coventry City star is better than he ever was as a player in one area

Coventry City hold historical advantage over Sunderland ahead of play-off semi-final

Coventry will be feeling quietly confident ahead of their meeting with Sunderland in this year’s Championship play-offs.

Sunderland’s head-to-head record against Coventry is, frankly, abysmal. Indeed, the Black Cats have not beaten Coventry in their last ten meetings, with five draws and five defeats, including two losses this season already.

Coventry are in great form again and have been tipped as the team to beat in the play-offs by Troy Deeney.

We’re sure third-placed Sheffield United will have something to say about that, but as we know from the Championship, and especially the play-offs, anyone can beat anyone, and it’ll be thrilling to watch.