The Sky Blues are set to take on Hull City at the MKM Stadium as they resume their Championship campaign.
Fact File
Name: Hull City Association Football Club
Founded: 1904
Stadium: MKM Stadium
Capacity: 25,400
Nickname: The Tigers
Address: MKM Stadium, West Park, Hull, HU3 6HU.
Pitch Size: 125 x 81 yards
The Opposition: The Tigers
Hull City have had a strong start to the season, currently sat in sixth after their first five games.
The Tigers enjoyed an opening day victory against Bristol City, as well strong back-to-back outings with a win and a draw against newly-demoted Norwich and Burnley, respectively.
After welcoming new ownership to the club after the turn of the year, the Tigers have had a productive summer window with hopes of building on their 19th-placed finish last term.
Notable additions include Jean Michael Seri, Allahyar Sayyadmanesh, and Oscar Estupinan- the club’s current top goalscorer this season (4).
The Manager: Shota Avreladze
Tigers boss Shota Avreladze began his playing career in his home country Georgia before sealing a move to Ajax in 1997.
Avreladze played a part in two league title triumphs for Ajax and then moved onto Rangers where he continued to score goals to secure a further four domestic cup wins.
The Georgian rounded off his career with spells at AZ Alkmaar and Levante, before returning to Alkmaar as an assistant.
From there, he moved onto Kayserispor, Kasimpasa and Trabzonspor- where he formerly played- and was then appointed Maccabi Tel Aviv manager in 2016.
He then found his way to Pakhtakor Tashkent FK, in Uzbekistan, where he spent three years prior to his move to Hull City.
Last Time We Met: Sky Blues 0-2 Hull City
A first-half sucker punch reduced the Sky Blues to a 2-0 defeat at the Coventry Building Society Arena the last time the two side met.
Positive Covid-19 cases for Mark Robins, Adi Viveash, and Dennis Lawrence saw Sky Blues Under-23s coach Luke Tisdale lead out the side in an unprecedented turn of events.
Richard Smallwood gave the visitors the lead after four minutes before Ryan Longman’s fierce strike doubled the Tigers’ lead before half-time.
An improved performance in the second half saw the Sky Blues men mount a comeback charge, which looked to be alive late on when Ian Maatsen volleyed home, but the goal was chalked off when referee Thomas Bramall concluded the ball the did not cross the line.
Sky Blues XI: Simon Moore (GK), Fankaty Dabo, Dom Hyam, Jake Clarke-Salter, Ian Maatsen, Ben Sheaf, Jamie Allen (Jordan Shipley 70’), Gustavo Hamer (Martyn Waghorn 78’), Callum O'Hare, Matty Godden (C) (Fabio Tavares 70’), Viktor Gyokeres.
Unused Subs: Ben Wilson (GK), Josh Reid, Ryan Howley, Will Bapaga
Head-to-Head Record
Sky Blues wins - 17
Draws - 9
Hull City wins - 19
Club Connection: Cyrus Christie
Born and raised in Coventry, Cyrus Christie started his career with the Sky Blues, where he went on to make over 100 appearances for the club.
His debut came during the 2010-11 season, under the management of Aidy Boothroyd, and made 37 league outings at Championship level the following campaign.
After the club fell to League One, Christie's development continued, earning a move to Derby County for which the Sky Blues recieved an undisclosed fee.
An impressive three seasons at Pride Park saw him move to Middlesbrough and then Fulham, with whom he would go on to make 23 appearances in the Premier League.
Loan spells with Nottingham Forest and Swansea would follow, before Christie completed a permanent move to Hull City on the eve of this weekend's fixture.
Match Officials
Oliver Langford is the man in the middle for the Sky Blues’ clash with the Tigers.
Langford has officiated City seven times previously, overseeing the Sky Blues for three wins, two draws, and two losses, whilst dishing out seven yellow cards.
Shaun Hudson and Mark Russell will act as linesman and Andy Haines will be the fourth official.