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Matchday 9 · · Coventry Building Society Arena

Coventry City vs Sunderland: lineups

Last updated:

Coventry City 19 · 6 points
Sunderland 20 · 5 points

Predicted lineups Coventry City vs Sunderland

Coventry City 4-2-3-1
19 Rushworth
3 Dasilva
2 Pinnock
12 Mfuni or Thomas
27 van Ewijk
6 Grimes
8 Yirenkyi or Onyeka
23 Thomas-Asante
5 Rudoni
7 Sakamoto
49 Cherif or Awoniyi

Predicted lineup for Coventry City: Rushworth, Dasilva, Pinnock, Mfuni, van Ewijk, Grimes, Yirenkyi, Thomas-Asante, Rudoni, Sakamoto, Cherif

Sunderland 4-2-3-1
22 Roefs
17 Reinildo
13 O'Nien
4 Danso or Mukiele
32 Hume
34 Xhaka
27 Sadiki
28 Le Fée
11 Rigg
10 Angulo
9 Brobbey

Predicted lineup for Sunderland: Roefs, Reinildo, O'Nien, Danso, Hume, Xhaka, Sadiki, Le Fée, Rigg, Angulo, Brobbey

Coventry City

Frank Lampard has challenged Coventry City to show greater attacking conviction after a disappointing display against Fulham. His side struggled to create meaningful opportunities in the 1-0 defeat, and the manager felt their performance lacked the energy shown in previous matches. The preparations have also been complicated by Bobby Thomas' calf problem. The defender was substituted against Fulham and remains doubtful, giving Stephen Mfuni a possible opportunity to start alongside Ethan Pinnock.

Coventry's defensive options are already limited by the absences of Aurèle Amenda and Luke Woolfenden. Further forward, Lampard must decide whether to retain the midfield partnership of Matt Grimes and Caleb Yirenkyi or introduce Frank Onyeka. Jack Rudoni remains an important attacking outlet after scoring against Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur. Brandon Thomas-Asante and Tatsuhiro Sakamoto could continue on the wings, while Sidiki Chérif faces competition from Taiwo Awoniyi. Lampard will be looking for a more assertive performance without sacrificing the defensive organisation that kept Fulham relatively quiet for much of last weekend's game.

Sunderland

Sunderland's midweek cup victory has given Régis Le Bris fresh encouragement after a difficult run in the Premier League. His heavily rotated side beat Brentford 3-2, with Chemsdine Talbi, Tymur Tutierov and Malick Fofana all scoring before half-time. That result followed a goalless draw against Leeds United, ending a sequence of league defeats. Le Bris now hopes the improved results can provide a platform for a return to winning ways in the competition where his side have struggled for consistency.

Brian Brobbey is pushing to retain his starting position after returning against Leeds, while Wilson Isidor could rejoin the matchday squad following his own injury absence. The most significant selection question is in defence. Nordi Mukiele remains doubtful after taking a knock against Leeds, but Kevin Danso is available again following suspension. Luke O'Nien could partner Danso, with Trai Hume and Reinildo occupying the full-back positions. Granit Xhaka and Noah Sadiki are expected to provide the midfield foundation, allowing Chris Rigg and the wide attackers to operate further forward.

Injuries and suspensions

Coventry City

  • Bobby Thomas Calf injury Doubtful
  • Aurele Amenda Calf injury Unavailable
  • Haji Wright Muscle injury Unavailable
  • Josh Eccles Ankle injury Unavailable
  • Luke Woolfenden Knee injury Unavailable

Sunderland

  • Jocelin Bi Injury Doubtful
  • Nordi Mukiele Face Injury Doubtful
  • Wilson Isidor Knock Doubtful
  • Daniel Ballard Muscle injury Unavailable
  • Romaine Mundle Knee injury Unavailable

Players to watch

The five players from each team with the most combined goals and assists this season.

All stats

Coventry City

  1. Jack Rudoni 2 goals 0 assists
  2. Jay Dasilva 1 goals 1 assists
  3. Brandon Thomas-Asante 0 goals 2 assists
  4. Sidiki Cherif 1 goals 0 assists
  5. Stephen Mfuni 1 goals 0 assists

Sunderland

  1. Brian Brobbey 3 goals 0 assists
  2. Enzo Le Fée 2 goals 1 assists
  3. Nilson Angulo 1 goals 2 assists
  4. Noah Sadiki 1 goals 0 assists
  5. Wilson Isidor 1 goals 0 assists

Playing time and form

Who has played the most in recent weeks, and how have they performed?

Coventry City

Player Starts Min. Form
Carl Rushworth 5/5 450 mixed
Ethan Pinnock 5/5 450 mixed
Jay Dasilva 5/5 450 solid
Matt Grimes 5/5 437 mixed
Bobby Thomas 5/5 420 mixed
Jack Rudoni 5/5 407 mixed
Milan van Ewijk 4/4 360 mixed
Brandon Thomas-Asante 4/5 342 solid

Sunderland

Player Starts Min. Form
Robin Roefs 5/5 450 mixed
Noah Sadiki 4/5 387 solid
Granit Xhaka 4/5 365 solid
Trai Hume 4/5 356 mixed
Nordi Mukiele 4/5 326 solid
Enzo Le Fée 3/5 309 mixed
Luke O'Nien 3/4 301 solid
Reinildo 3/5 289 mixed

Pre-match prediction

Pre-match goals forecast
1.39 1.34
  • Predicted goals3.4
  • Both teams to score50%
  • Over 2.5 goals50%
  • Corners8.3

Team comparison

COV home Per match SUN away
0.75 Points 0.25
1.00 Goals for 1.25
2.00 Goals against 2.50
1.39 xG for 1.34
1.58 xG against 1.73
4.3 Corners 4.0
LLWL Home and away form LDLL

Coventry City vs Sunderland: head-to-head record

12 previous meetings
5 Coventry City 6 draws 1 Sunderland
  • Goals per match2.83
  • Both teams scored67%
  • Over 2.5 goals50%
  • May 2025 Sunderland 1 - 1 Coventry City
  • May 2025 Coventry City 1 - 2 Sunderland
  • Mar 2025 Coventry City 3 - 0 Sunderland
  • Nov 2024 Sunderland 2 - 2 Coventry City
  • Dec 2023 Sunderland 0 - 3 Coventry City
  • Aug 2023 Coventry City 0 - 0 Sunderland
  • Feb 2023 Coventry City 2 - 1 Sunderland
  • Jul 2022 Sunderland 1 - 1 Coventry City
  • Mar 2020 Coventry City 1 - 0 Sunderland
  • Nov 2019 Sunderland 1 - 1 Coventry City

Frequently asked questions

Who is the referee for Coventry City vs Sunderland?

Coventry City vs Sunderland will be refereed by Simon Hooper.

When will the lineup for Coventry City vs Sunderland be announced?

Predicted lineups will appear on this page a few days before the match. Confirmed teams usually follow around an hour before kick-off, scheduled for .

Who is unavailable for Coventry City against Sunderland?

Coventry City are without Bobby Thomas (calf injury), Aurele Amenda (calf injury), Haji Wright (muscle injury), Josh Eccles (ankle injury) and Luke Woolfenden (knee injury).

Who is unavailable for Sunderland against Coventry City?

Sunderland are without Jocelin Bi (injury), Nordi Mukiele (face injury), Wilson Isidor (knock), Daniel Ballard (muscle injury) and Romaine Mundle (knee injury).

What formation do Coventry City play?

Coventry City have used a 4-2-3-1 in 3 of their last 5 matches. In their last match, they played a 4-2-3-1.

What formation do Sunderland play?

Sunderland have used a 4-2-3-1 formation in their last 5 matches under Le Bris.

How did the last meeting between Coventry City and Sunderland finish?

On 13 May 2025, Sunderland vs Coventry City finished 1-1.

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