Frank Lampard’s Coventry City will host Sunderland in the first leg of their Championship playoff semi-final on Friday night, with both sides setting their sights on Wembley.
Coventry City and Sunderland have enjoyed a series of dramatic fixtures over the years, but the stakes will be raised this Friday with this playoff first leg presenting the two sides with the opportunity for Premier League football next season.
Sunderland will travel to the CBS arena on Friday for the first leg, having failed to beat their opponents for the past 18 years.
The winner of the tie will meet either Bristol City or Sheffield United at Wembley Stadium on the 24th of May for the Championship play-off final.
Here is everything you need to know ahead of kick-off:
Team News
Coventry City
Sky Blues number one Oliver Dovin is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines following an ACL injury. Meanwhile, Sunderland academy product Ben Wilson looks set to start between the sticks.
Victor Torp also won’t play a part for the Sky Blues after suffering ankle ligament damage last month. Torp provided two assists in Coventry’s 3-0 win over Sunderland in March.
Norman Bassette and Ephron Mason-Clark are doubtful for Friday’s game after missing the last month through injury.
Sunderland
Romaine Mundle and Aji Alese are set to miss the first leg, but could find themselves in contention for the second leg on Tuesday night – Mundle has previously starred against the opponents, assisting twice in their 2-2 draw against Friday’s opponents last November.
However, the North East club will be boosted by the returning trio of Dan Ballard, Enzo Le Fee, and Dennis Cirkin – who have all made their returns to the matchday squad in recent weeks.
Where they finished:
Coventry
Coventry City’s journey to the playoffs was not a straightforward one.
While club legend Mark Robins’ dismissal in November was controversial, Frank Lampard’s resurgence at the CBS Arena has proven the decision was correct, the former Everton and Chelsea manager has spearheaded the club back into the Championship’s top six.
Since Lampard took the reins, the Sky Blues have only lost twice at home, both of those losses came at the hands of promoted duo Leeds United and Burnley.
Between February and March, Lampard led City on their best run since 1970, winning nine of ten fixtures. Their loss in that run was to eventual champions Leeds.
The west-midlands outfit had a wobble near the end of the season with losses away to now-relegated Plymouth Argyle and Luton Town, but a 2-0 win against Middlesbrough on the final day secured their fifth-place finish.
Jack Rudoni has been a particular stand-out for Coventry, having joined from Huddersfield Town last summer the midfielder has contributed nine goals and 12 assists in the Championship this season.
Sunderland
Sunderland secured their fourth-place finish following a 0-0 draw at Norwich City in early November.
However, the Black Cats will be heading into the playoffs on the back of five straight league defeats, scoring just once in the process.
However, the recent form does not undermine that Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris has had a successful first season in English football.
The Black Cats were in the race for automatic promotion for the majority of the season but ultimately fell away after losses to Leeds and Hull City in February.
Sunderland finished seven points ahead of Friday night’s opposition in fifth and 24 points behind the top two, with poor form late on in the season seeing Sunderland reside to the division’s fourth spot.
Head-to-Head
Coventry boast the better head-to-head record of the two sides. The Sky Blues have won 18, whilst Sunderland have only won 12, with the two sides playing out 18 draws.
The Sky Blues’ recent record against the Black Cats is even more impressive, with five draws and five wins in their last 10 games against the Wearside club.
Sunderland’s last win against Coventry came at the Stadium of Light in 2007. Dwight Yorke and Carlos Edwards were on the scoresheet as the Black Cats won 2-0.
A notable fixture in recent history came in League One, where Coventry City emerged victorious in a dramatic 5-4 in 2019.
Coventry are on a 13-game unbeaten run when hosting Friday’s opponents, with their last defeat to the Black Cats at home coming in 1985.
Key Players
Coventry City – Jack Rudoni
The 23-year-old midfielder has six goals and five assists in his last 13 appearances, including a brace against Middlesbrough to secure the Sky Blues’ play-off spot.
As previously mentioned, the attacking midfielder has been in and amongst the goal contributions for Frank Lampard’s side.
The Englishman has slotted straight into the advanced midfield role at Coventry this year, combining well with forwards Haji Wright and Tatsuhiro Sakamoto.
And at the age of 23, it should be expected that Rudoni will feature in the Premier League in the coming years – whether that be with Coventry City or not.
Sunderland – Trai Hume
The Northern Ireland international has been a consistent figure at right-back this season.
Hume won the Player of the Season award at the Black Cats awards night this past week.
The right-back has scored three times and assisted a further six this season, with only Wilson Isidor and Eliezer Mayenda contributing to more goals than Hume for Sunderland this season.
A key battle for this fixture will be between Hume and Coventry’s top scorer Haji Wright, who will likely feature on Lampard’s left-hand side tomorrow.
Wright has four goals against Sunderland in two games this season, including a hat-trick in City’s 3-0 win over the Black Cats in March, this clash will be one to look out for.
Referee Watch
John Busby is the man in the middle on Friday night. Busby has officiated each side twice this season.
He was in charge of Coventry’s 3-0 win over Blackburn Rovers in October as well as the Sky Blues’ 2-0 defeat to West Brom in December.
The Black Cats drew 1-1 at Millwall and beat Luton 2-0 at the Stadium of Light with Busby officiating this season.
Match Details
The first leg of the EFL Championship playoff semi-final will take place at the CBS Arena, Coventry, on Friday the 9th of May 2025 with kick-off scheduled for 8 pm.
The game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Football, and Sky Sports Ultra HDR.