Sky Sports pundit makes ‘underdogs’ claim ahead of ‘weird’ Coventry City vs Sunderland play-off clash

Add as preferred source on Google

Sunderland travel to the CBS Arena to face Coventry City, with two heavyweights of the Championship facing off in the first leg of the play-off semi-finals.

Frank Lampard has experience of the Championship play-offs before but the Coventry boss has called for calm and to not look too far ahead of themselves ahead of tonight’s game. Lampard is looking to end Coventry’s recent Wembley woes and put defeat on penalties in the last two seasons behind them, too.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LeedsLeeds	46	29	13	4	95	30	65	100
2	BurnleyBurnley	46	28	16	2	69	16	53	100
3	Sheff UtdSheffield Utd	46	28	8	10	63	36	27	90
4	SunderlandSunderland	46	21	13	12	58	44	14	76
5	CoventryCoventry	46	20	9	17	64	58	6	69
6	Bristol CityBristol City	46	17	17	12	59	55	4	68

The likes of Trai Hume and Jobe Bellingham have been outstanding for Sunderland this season but Wilson Isidor is somewhat, untimely, out of form. Lampard, on the other hand, has been praised for the acquisition of Matt Grimes in January to bolster Coventry at the base of midfield.

He, Haji Wright, and Jack Rudoni have shone for months now under his tutelage. However, a lot has been made of this Sunderland side and their form heading into the game, which many are concerned about. Andy Hinchliffe believes Sunderland are in a ‘difficult position’ due to that problem for Regis Le Bris.

• READ MORE: Championship play-offs 2024/25: Surprising team is actually in the best form ahead of crunch clashes

Troy Deeney makes Sunderland claim ahead of Coventry City play-off semi-final clash

In many ways, Sunderland and Coventry have defied the odds to even get to this stage. Cov were 17th when Lampard took charge, while Opta were predicting Sunderland to finish 21st prior to the season starting.

A recent run of one draw and five defeats in six for Sunderland means Le Bris is dividing Sunderland fans heading into these huge defining games. However, that would all be forgotten if Sunderland secure the financial reward of promotion, which a number of neutral fans are backing Le Bris to do.

The Black Cats have endured heartbreak at Wembley before, but getting there by beating Coventry over two legs is the first task. Peter Reid hopes Sunderland can break their curse to make it all the way — but optimism is not high on Wearside.

Troy Deeney has already outlined five reasons why Coventry could go all the way, and he has since added to that. Speaking to Sky Sports after Bristol City 0-3 Sheffield United, he said: “Sunderland will feel, similar to Sheffield United, they’ve got their head around it, they’ve got the quality, and ‘we’ve finished fourth for a reason’.

“So, they want to go and showcase what they’ve got. But again, in the last six games, you can’t have one point and one goal, and expect people to say they’re favourites.

“It just doesn’t go like that. It’s very difficult to rest players and go, ‘right, let’s click our fingers — we’re bang on it.’

“The rhythm has to come and you have to do it. They are underdogs in this situation, Sunderland, with all the pressure.

“It’s a really weird combination that they’ve got. And I know the likes of Jobe [Bellingham] and these guys will be up for it and probably be messaging saying I don’t know what I am talking about.

“But I just feel like, at this moment in time, Coventry have all the momentum in their favour.”

Haji Wright scored a hat-trick the last time the sides met, but Le Bris has a plan for Sunderland and the Sunderland boss has promised a repeat of the 3-0 from back in March won’t happen again.

That said, the Black Cats have a worrying record against Cov in recent head-to-head matches, having failed to win in the last ten outings, including a 2-2 at the Stadium of Light in the regular season, too.

• READ MORE: Frank Lampard can use his 2019 ‘underdogs’ mentality with Coventry City, Derby County benefited massively

Coventry and Sunderland’s chances if they face Sheffield United at Wembley

Sheffield United have one foot and a few toes in the final already, and they are a side who have accumulated 90 points this season. They will no doubt be favourites, irrespective of who they come up against.

In terms of predictions, Sam Parkin believes Coventry will win it late on in the first leg. However, anything can happen and the nature of the semi-finals is extremely unpredictable. History tells us that the final, unfortunately, is not anywhere near as difficult to predict.

Fourth and fifth have equal chance, but their chances would be much higher against Bristol City than Chris Wilder and co. That said, tonight is a game to try and enjoy without thinking too far ahead.