Eng. Championship
2012-04-07 - Coventry City vs Peterborough United
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Championship
Saturday 7 April 2012 - Kick Off 3pm
Coventry City
Coventry City were one of the pieces that started in the Premier League when it was formed in 1992, but they have never returned since being relegated in 2001, a relegation that ended 34 years in the top flight. Now they are battling the drop to the second tier of English football, but it is a fight they will feel they can win.
The team are 21st in the Championship and out of the relegation zone courtesy of a big 0-2 win at promotion chasing Hull City last weekend. The Sky Blues are currently just 1 point clear of Bristol City in the final relegation zone, so they will be fully focused for this game. Coventry are 8-6-6 at the Ricoh Arena this season, scoring 26 goals and conceding 21.
They have found a little bit of form recently, going unbeaten in their last 6 games in the Championship and picking up 10 points from the 18 possible in that time. Coventry have won back to back games against Portsmouth at home and Hull City on their travels. They are unbeaten in their last 5 games at home, winning 3 of those, although they had drawn back to back games before the win over Portsmouth.
David Bell is back in the squad having missed 6 games, but there may be no changes to the side that won at Hull.
Peterborough United
Peterborough United look like they are going to retain their place in the Championship, but they will want to cement that with a win here just to make sure there is not going to be any late drama with just 6 games to go this season.
They are 17th in the Championship table and they hold a 10 point lead over Bristol City in the final relegation spot. With just 18 points left to play for, it is extremely unlikely that they will be dragged into a relegation battle now, but Darren Ferguson will take no chances. Peterborough are 3-6-11 away from home this season, scoring 22 goals but conceding 32.
Posh beat Leicester City 1-0 at home in their last game to effectively secure their place in this League for another season, but they have not had so much success on their travels in recent games. They have failed to win any of their last 8 away games in the Championship and they have now lost 4 of their last 5 away games, including the last 3 in a row.
Gaby Zakuani and George Boyd should both be in the squad for the trip to Coventry. Tyrrone Barnett is a doubt for this game having suffered an injury against Leicester last week.
Head to Head
Peterborough beat Coventry City 1-0 at home earlier this season at London Road.
Coventry have beaten Peterborough on each of the last 4 occasions they have met at the Ricoh Arena in all competitions, including a 3-2 win the last time they met here in the 2009/10 season.
Prediction
I think there could be something in backing Coventry City to earn another big three points in this game at odds against as their motivation should be a lot higher than a Peterborough United side that have not performed on their travels in recent games.
Coventry have been playing well in recent weeks, and they have been solid enough at home. They have won 3 of their last 5 in front of their own fans and will feel confident they can secure a further three points against a Posh side that has lost 4 of 5 away from London Road.
I think the Peterborough players may just relax slightly after beating Leicester at home last week to essentially secure their Championship future, and they may not be as hungry for this game as the home side.
The Sky Blues also have a good home record against Peterborough and I think the layers may be taking a slight chance at pricing them up at 2.10 to win, a price I am willing to take.
The Pick :
Coventry City 2-1 Peterborough United
