Eng. Championship
2011-01-01 - Coventry City vs Ipswich Town
A Sports Betting Pick by Caged
Coventry City
Home Record W6 D1 L5 GF17 GA14
A cursory look at the league table makes Coventry look good things here. The Sky Blues are play-off contenders, having improved immeasurably for marmite manager Aidy Boothroyd.
Since relegation from the Premiership Coventry have struggled in the Championship year in year out, and this is the first time in over 5 years 2003 that the midlanders begin a calendar year looking up instead of down.
Any enthusiasm for a bet on the home side is soon tempered by a look at the form table however. Coventry have lost their last three in a row, two of which were at home. But a closer look tells the true story, those three games were against QPR (1st place), Cardiff (2nd) and Norwich (5th).
To put it bluntly, Coventry are flat track bullies. They have the second worst record in the division playing top half opponents, but playing the bottom half they are the divisions second best.
Ipswich Town
Away Record W3 D2 L6 GF10 GA16
That doesnt bode well for 18th placed Ipswich. Town have lost three in a row away from home, have only won once away since August, and have lost 6 of the last 7 home and away.
The one win was last time out, in what was billed as Roy Keanes last chance salooon. In that game, ridiculously played in a snow blizzard, Ipswich made a mockery of this particular tipsters prediction by destroying much fancied Leicester at Portman Road in a farcical match.
But Ipswich havent played since then, and that was two weeks ago. There have been plenty of teams over the last week or so who have been hampered by an enforced break when playing teams who are fully match fit, and Keane will be cursing the loss of momentum after that much needed win. Ipswich could easily be rusty.
That win also means the pressure is off Keane and his side a little.
On another cold day, the last thing you want in these circumstances is a trip to a physical Aidy Boothroyd side who regularly bulldoze opponents in attritional low quality Championship battles.
Yes Coventry will have to do it without key winger McSheffrey and midfielder Gunnarson, but Boothroyd sides play a systematic percentage game that means they are not overly reliant on one or two star men.
Team News
Coventry City are without winger Gary McSheffrey and midfielder Aron Gunnarsson, through suspension.
For Ipswich, Shane O Connor, one of the key men in that win against Leicester is injured. Town also lose right back Gianni Zuiverloon after he was recalled from his loan.
Head-to-head
Coventry beat Ipswich at Portman Road in October and will be looking to do the double over the Suffolk side.
Coventry do have a decent long term record at Coventry but the home side have had the better of meetings since moving to the Ricoh Arena in 2005/6.
The Pick :
Coventry City 2 Ipswich Town 0
