The Sky Blues host Middlesbrough at the Coventry Building Society Arena in a Sky Bet Championship fixture. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the opponents...
Opposition:
Heading into the weekend's clash against the Sky Blues, Middlesbrough occupy on of the relegation places, sitting 22nd in the Championship.
Chris Wilder's side have two wins, four draws and four defeats so far in the 2022/23 campaign, drawing with Rotherham United last time out.
After a busy summer transfer window, welcoming former Sky Blues loanee Ryan Giles, Marcus Forss, Matthew Clarke, Alex Mowatt and Zack Steffen, Middlesbrough would have expected a better start to the season.
Wilder's men travel to the Coventry Building Society Arena and he will be hoping to welcome back Chupa Akpom and Darragh Lenihan from injury, after the duo missed the last few outings.
Manager Quotes:
Mark Robins:
“It's been a long time coming hasn't it. I think it's exciting for everybody. I think the supporters are certainly due a home game and so are the players.
“We're looking forward to it, it's a good game and there are loads of reasons to be positive and the main one obviously is going back playing in front of the supporters at the arena.
“I think the players have been starved of these games and the supporters have been starved of that and I think that you'll see a wall of noise tomorrow and we'd love to see a huge number.
“The noise levels have gone up in training and the excitement around the game is there and you can see it when they become noisier and more vocal you can see the excitement starting to build and it’s there for everyone to see.
“But like I said, we're just looking forward to getting back and playing in front of the supporters and putting on a decent show and hopefully we can put on a performance that warrants three points.”
Chris Wilder:
“To lose two/three of your starters from that Sheffield United game has been quite a big dint for us.
“All been back on the grass and working this week so there is a decision to be made over the weekend. Zack getting minutes on the grass is huge. They are big players for us, all three of them.
“Chuba has become a big player for us. Something that has not been said to him before is ‘welcome back’ or ‘glad to have you back’ so maybe he’s not had that and there is a little smile on his face but he’s trained well so positive about him being involved.
“Zack has had a stop start first part of his career at Middlesbrough. Being out injured and getting himself back, playing against Rotherham. He’s a good couple of weeks of conditioning work to sharpen him up. Hopefully he does what we believe he can do and be the best goalkeeper in the division.”
Head-to-Head:
Coventry wins: 17
Draws: 15
Middlesbrough wins: 19
Last Six:
Middlesbrough 0-0 Rotherham United
Cardiff City 3-2 Rotherham United
Middlesbrough 1-0 Sunderland
Watford 2-1 Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough 2-1 Swansea City
Reading 1-0 Middlesbrough
Officials:
Stephen Martin will be the man in the middle for the Championship fixture, taking charge of his first Coventry City fixture since last season's goalless draw with West Bromwich Albion.
Martin also oversaw last season's 5-0 defeat away at Luton Town, and Middlesbrough's 2-1 win over Blackpool from the same season.
His assistant for this weekend's fixture will be Ian Cooper and Robert Smith, with Lee Swabey acting as Fourth Official.
Ticket information:
Sky Blues fans will be able to pay on the day at the Arena at Cash Turnstiles, or from the Ticket Office.
Tickets will be available to buy from the Ticket Office at the Coventry Building Society Arena, which opens at 9:30am and is open until kick-off. This is cashless, with card and contactless payment available.
Sky Blues fans can buy at Cash Turnstiles 30–35 from 1:30pm. There is no matchday price increase.
Ticket Info for the game can be seen here
For any queries, please click here or call 0333 321 31 34
For queries on the day, please visit the Ticket Office from 9:30am.