Coventry City v Derby County: Championship – live
Key events
Coventry make three changes to their starting line-up after the 3-0 win at Swansea a fortnight ago. Romain Esse, Liam Kitching and Josh Eccles come in for Ephron Mason-Clark, who drops to the bench, and Joel Latibeaudiere and Brandon Thomas-Asante, who miss out altogether (the former rested, the latter hamstrung).
Derby also make three changes, following the 1-0 win over Birmingham City two weeks back. David Ozoh, Carlton Morris and Jaydon Banel come in for Patrick Agyemang, who drops to the bench, and the injured pair of Sammie Szmodics and Rhian Brewster.
The teams
Coventry City: Rushworth, van Ewijk, Thomas, Kitching, Dasilva, Grimes, Onyeka, Sakamoto, Eccles, Esse, Simms.
Subs: Wilson, Rudoni, Mason-Clark, Wright, Kesler-Hayden, Bidwell, Markelo, Woolfenden, Overgaard.
Derby County: O’Donnell, Ward, Sanderson, Clarke, Murkin, Banel, Travis, Clark, Brereton Diaz, Morris, Ozoh.
Subs: Forsyth, Batth, Agyemang, Liam Thompson, Fraulo, Gordon, Allen, Smith, Price.
Referee: Tom Nield (West Yorkshire).
Preamble
Today’s earlier results in the Championship didn’t go too badly for Coventry City. Millwall won 2-1 at Middlesbrough, while Hull City were held 1-1 at Oxford United, and so …
… Frank Lampard’s side have the opportunity to extend a lead that stood this morning at nine points to an extremely comfortable 11. They’d then require just eight points from their remaining six fixtures to guarantee Premier League membership next season.
But this is no gimme. Derby blow hot and cold – they’ve won six and lost four of their previous ten in the Championship – but four of those victories have come in the last five. A campaign that started with the Rams flapping around the lower reaches has picked up some serious momentum, and a play-off finish is now very much within reach. So both of these famous midlands clubs have plenty to play for tonight. Kick-off is at 8pm BST. It’s on!
