Coventry vs Sunderland preview: How to watch, team news, recent form and referee
Sunderland face their second successive away trip this weekend at Coventry City, who are currently three matches unbeaten and will provide a stern test for Tony Mowbray's youngsters..
Over 3,000 supporters are making the trip down to the West Midlands, which will of course surprise no one.
The two teams both played away at Rotherham last time out but with very conflicting fortunes. Sunderland lost 2-1, while Coventry prevailed 2-0.
How to Watch
When: Saturday 25th February 2023 - Kick-off: 12:30pm
Where: The Coventry Building Society Arena
TV: Sky Sports, ESPN+, NowTV, SAFC Live (geographical restrictions)
Radio: BBC Radio Newcastle
Team News
Ben Sheaf (calf), Callum O'Hare (ACL) and Fabio Tavares (Achilles tendon) will all be missing for Coventry City this weekend as they recover from their respective injuries.
Fankaty Dabo and Jonathan Panzo both look set to be in contention for the Sky Blues this weekend as they have both recovered from injury.
Tony Mowbray will continue to rotate the Sunderland squad due to some players carrying knocks, although he wouldn't reveal who in his press conference.
One player who is expected to return to the starting line-up is Patrick Roberts who recently made his 50th appearance for the club.
Sunderland captain Corry Evans signed a new one-year contract this week with the option of a further year, although Evans is currently recovering from an ACL injury.
Last Meeting
The two sides last played each other on Sunday 31st July 2022, with the two sides cancelling each other out at the Stadium of Light in a 1-1 draw.
The Sunderland goal was scored by Jack Clarke.
Sunderland Team: Patterson, Batth, Ballard, Cirkin, Evans, Pritchard, Gooch, Embleton, Neil, Stewart, Clarke
Recent Form
Coventry City: WLDWW
Sunderland: DWWDL
Head-to-head (last 10 matches)
Coventry City wins: 4
Draws: 4Sunderland wins: 2
Who is the referee for Coventry vs Sunderland?
IMAGO
Dean Whitestone will take charge of this match and has refereed 35 matches over the last 12 months, issuing 45 yellow cards.
He will be assisted by Daniel Leach and Matthew Smith, with Andy Woolmer acting as the fourth official.
What the Managers have said
Mark Robins is expecting another tough test against Sunderland and is hoping the fans will be treated to a brilliant game of football.
Robins said: "They're above us in the table and they're not too far outside the top six. If we can get a result it lifts us closer to them, and then we're a lot closer to those top six places ourselves.
"I think it is going to be a really good game of football tomorrow. They have got a really young squad with very few players over the age of 30. They're an incredibly talented group.
"They have improved during January by signing Joe Gelhardt but they also have Patrick Roberts and Amad Diallo, who has made a big difference. Daniel Ballard was also a very good signing.
"They play some really good football and it will be a good match tomorrow. It will be tough for both sides but a good game of football."
Tony Mowbray won't be taking Coventry City lightly and thinks it is a test of character of the Sunderland team to see how they respond.
Mowbray said: "What's interesting now is whether we can bounce back at the weekend in one of the toughest away games against a totally different football team.
"Coventry City are a football team who like to play with the ball and Mark Robins is a very good coach who has a system and a style of play and you've got to be ready for it.
"They will give us problems. they've got one of the league's most potent centre-forwards playing for them and so it is a tough game.
"Let's be good at what we do, play our own game at the weekend and let them worry about us a little bit.
"There's a real diversity in this league and you have to let the players know what is coming, if every throw-in and free-kick is coming into their box etc.
"But I've said to my staff that we will work to the framework of what we do from now on, and I will tinker for the game that's in front of us - it's about the balance."
Sunderland predicted line-up vs Coventry
Tony Mowbray will rotate his squad again, hopefully for the last time as the Sunderland schedule eases significantly in March.
That will likely mean a recall for a couple of the the defenders, and potentially a deeper role for Alex Pritchard too.
Sunderland predicted starting XI (4-2-3-1): Patterson; Hume, Ballard, Batth, Alese; Neil, Pritchard; Roberts, Amad, Clarke; Gelhardt