Unbeaten in four Stoke City will visit the Coventry Building Society Arena to play a Coventry side who are looking to bounce back from four losses in a row.
Potters fans can finally start to look towards the top of the table after what was a very poor start to the season. With the injury crisis seemingly on the horizon, it has left Alex Neil with almost a full squad available at his fingertips. Now with the squad back together and on much better form could this mean The Potters could mount a play-off push this season? Well, if they want to continue to look to the top of the table Stoke will need to get past an out-of-form Coventry side. Here’s everything you need to know about The Potters’upcoming game against The Sky Blues…
Team News
For the first time this season, there isn’t much to report regarding Stokes squad selection however Ben Wilmot still remains injured.
Lewis Baker has returned to full training after his knee surgery and could see a return to the squad.
Opposition Manager
After what was an incredible season last year Mark Robins finds himself in a rut with four losses in a row causing his Coventry side to fall to 20th in the table.
Robins' style of play focuses more on hard work rather than skill with Robins aiming to get the best out of his players rather than a tactical philosophy.
Coventry often look to play the ball long from goal kickspushing together to help win second balls. However, they can play out a press by overloading one side of the pitch and switching the play to the opposite side of the pitch.
Pass and move are the principles of the Coventry attack with players sticking close to each other to ensure short passing.
However, without Gustavo Hamer and Viktor Gyokeres this season Coventry’s attack has been severely weakened and has been one of the main reasons Coventry have struggled this season.
Defensively Robins wants his Coventry team to push the opposition out wide and gain numerical advantage in the penalty area.
Source: Breaking The Lines
Head-to-Head
Both teams are at a stalemate overall with Coventry and Stoke winning 30 and losing 30 of their encounters.
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