Coventry vs Bradford Predictions

The play-offs may still be out of reach for Mark Robins’ men, though the Sky Blues took a step towards giving themselves the best possible chance of stepping in should Doncaster implode when beating Sunderland away from home last weekend. After such a confidence-boosting win, Coventry will surely fancy themselves to take another three points when they host a Bradford side that is heading down to League Two.

Coventry delivered an excellent away-day performance last time out; they didn’t dominate the ball, nor did they create more than their opponents, but they weren’t afraid, they went toe-to-toe with Sunderland, battled hard from the first minute to last and showed outstanding end-product in the final third.

After emerging victorious on the road last time out, a home game against League Two-bound Bradford is an excellent opportunity for Coventry to regain the winning thread on home soil after losing to Oxford and drawing with Bristol Rovers.

The Sky Blues have been somewhat hit and miss at home this season, there can be no denying that, though a mere repeat of the underlying numbers delivered when drawing 0-0 against Bristol Rovers last time out would surely see Mark Robins’ men record a second straight win. Against Rovers, Coventry created plenty, posting 2.48 expected goals for, while they gave little away, as they shipped just 0.54 and conceded just six shots.

Furthermore, Coventry have a very respectable home record against teams currently residing in the bottom eight, as they’ve lost just two out of seven against such teams. Of the other five, they’ve won four. In those seven games, the Sky Blues have scored seven, conceded four and kept four clean sheets. They’ve also come out on top in terms of expected goals in six of those seven.

A few months ago, there was hope for Bradford, as they appeared to have improved slightly, though they’ve since gone the wrong way, so much so that relegation is unavoidable. As far as their recent efforts on the road are concerned, the Bantams have struggled. They were beaten away against Bristol Rovers last time out, while they’ve now lost each of their last five travelling matches.

At times, Bradford have got competitive in the final third, even on their travels. They scored twice away against Bristol Rovers last time out, though their dodgy back-line meant that their attacking efforts counted for nothing. A lack of defensive solidity has really cost the Bantams, who’ve conceded an average of two goals per away match. They’ve also shipped an appalling average of 2.31 expected goals on their travels.

Whichever way you look at this fixture, it’s impossible to call it anything other than a huge opportunity for Coventry to take three points. At the prices, ‘Coventry to Win & Over 1.5 Goals’ stands out as the best option. The hosts have performed well at home against lowly teams, while their recent attacking efforts overall bode well ahead of a match against defensively inept opposition. Add in the fact that the Sky Blues have averaged 1.56 expected goals for at home this season and the fact that Bradford have conceded an average of 2.31 on the road and backing the hosts to both win and score twice is easy to do.