Coventry City vs Birmingham City Prediction: Rooney looking forward for transfer window

Coventry City will welcome Birmingham City at The Coventry Building Society Arena in Game Week 20 of the English Championship. The teams are sitting at the lower end of the table and will be looking to get some momentum going coming into the festive period. Who will come out on top after 90 minutes?

Coventry City form

After a series of six matches without a win from October 7 to the November international break, Mark Robins may have been concerned that the Coventry management might be considering making a change. Despite the respect he has earned with the Sky Blues, his team appeared stagnant. However, Coventry was able to bounce back after the two-week break and secure victories against Millwall and Plymouth Argyle. Although they suffered a 2-1 defeat against second-placed Ipswich Town in their next game, there is a sense that Coventry is regaining momentum, sitting just eight points behind the top six. With only two goals conceded in four matches, both of which were conceded at Portman Road, confidence is growing that they can narrow the gap even further by improving their attacking play. Despite winning only five out of 19 matches in the second tier in the 2023-24 season, Coventry have a positive goal difference, indicating that there is still potential for a promotion push for the second consecutive campaign.

Coventry City Predicted Lineup

Collins; Van Ewijk, Thomas, Kitching, Bidwell; Sheaf, Eccles; Sakamoto, O'Hare, Wright; Godden

Birmingham City form

When it comes to Birmingham and Wayne Rooney, they are still struggling to regain the success they had under John Eustace's leadership. Rooney has even gone so far as to criticize the character of some of his players after a goalless draw against Rotherham United. This result brings their total points to just five out of eight games since Rooney took over. 

Rooney is anxiously awaiting the January transfer window so he can bring in his own players, but he must also focus on preventing the team from slipping further towards the relegation zone, which currently stands at a seven-point gap. 

Although the team has managed to collect five points from three games at St. Andrew's, they have lost their last seven away matches in the Championship.

Birmingham City Predicted Lineup

Ruddy; Drameh, Aiwu, Sanderson, Buchanan; Bielik, Bacuna; Miyoshi, Stansfield, Dembele; Jutkiewicz

Coventry City vs Birmingham City Expert Tips

Although there is an anticipation that Birmingham will eventually improve under Rooney's leadership, we must not overlook Coventry's progress. Despite their loss against Ipswich, they displayed competitiveness, suggesting that the Sky Blues will most likely sustain their revival on Friday night. Expect the home side to win with both teams being on the scoresheet.