The new season is upon as the Sky Blues prepare to face Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. Here is all you need to know ahead of the curtain-opener:
Fact File
Founded: 1879
Stadium: Stadium of Light
Capacity: 49,000
Nickname: The Black Cats
Address: Stadium of Light, Monkwearmouth, Sunderland, SR5 1SU
The Opposition
Following a four-year hiatus, Sunderland are back in the Championship after securing promotion from League One last term via the play-offs.
They did so with the help of Coventry City new-boy Callum Doyle, who has swapped The Black Cats for The Sky Blues ahead of the new season. The Manchester City loanee, made 44 appearances in League One last term.
Sunderland also parted ways with Aiden McGeady, Will Grigg, Jordan Willis and Lee Burge over the summer, but have brought in plenty of fresh faces, including former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Jack Clarke and ex-Arsenal defender Daniel Ballard.
They have also retained the services of top-scorer Ross Sterwart, who hit home 26 goals in 53 outings last term.
The manager: Alex Neil
Alex Neil, 41, joined Sunderland just five months ago and helped to ensure the club secured their promotion back to the Championship.
He started his football career as a defensive midfielder, for Scottish club Airdrieonians before moving to England where he turned out for both Barnsley and Mansfield Town.
He then returned to Scotland to end his career as a player-manager with Hamilton Academical, who he helped to promotion to the Scottish Premiership.
Neil's first managerial role in England came with Norwich City, and promotion to the Premier League swiftly followed. However, after falling to relegation twelve months later, he saw his contract terminated.
A prolonged spell with Preston North End following, during which he successfully kept the club in the Championship. In 2021, he left the club by mutual consent.
Eleven months later, Neil returned to the game to become Sunderland manager.
Last Time We Met
The Sky Blues went top of League One last time they met Sunderland. Matty Godden's goal proved the difference between the two sides.
The result helped City to promotion back to the Championship, while Sunderland ended the campaign in eighth.
Sky Blues Xl: Marko Marosi (GK), Michael Rose, Kyle McFadzean, Dom Hyam, Fankaty Dabo, Liam Kelly, Liam Walsh, Sam McCallum, Jamie Allen (Bakayoko 79'), Callum O'Hare, Matty Godden (Jordan Shipley 90').
Subs: Ben Wilson, Josh Pask, Ryan Giles, Zain Westbrooke, Max Biamou.
Head-to-Head Record
Sky Blues wins: 15
Draws: 15
Sunderland wins: 12
Club Connection: Jordan Henderson
Sunderland-born Jordan Henderson began his career with The Black Cats, then in the Premier League, in 2008 and was sent on loan to Coventry City to gain some valuable match experience.
Initially arriving on a one-month loan deal, Henderson's impressive performances earned him an extension that saw him remain with The Sky Blues until injury forced him to return to the North East.
From there, Henderson was able to break into the Sunderland first team and made 79 top flight appearances before attracting interest from Liverpool in 2015.
His move to Anfield paid off instantly, playing in 37 of the club's 38 Premier League fixtures during his debut season.
Over a decade on, Henderson now counts close to 450 appearances for the Anfield club, has won the Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup, Club World Cup and became the first captain since Alan Hansen to lift the league title for Liverpool.
Match Officials
Darren Bond will take charge of Coventry's first game of the season.
Philip Dermott and Nigel Lugg are set to assist on linesman duties with Stephen Martin operating as the fourth official.