Read predictions, team news, and betting tips for the Championship play-off semi-final first leg between Coventry City and Sunderland on Friday, 9th May 2025 (8pm BST).
Tip 1
Rudoni’s talent has captured the attention of second tier viewers this season, particularly under the guidance of Frank Lampard since the end of November.
He put in another stellar display against Middlesbrough last Saturday, scoring twice to help the Sky Blues secure this play-off spot.
As well as being someone who possesses a major goal threat, he can also play creator too, with the instinctive awareness and vision necessary to find his teammates. That’s reflected in the nine goals and 12 assists he’s managed this term, with 4G and 2A contributed in his last eight.
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Tip 2
Cov have red-hot home form right now, winning seven of their last eight here, including a 3-0 win over Friday’s opponents, who’ve lost their last five and are winless in six.
During this period, Lampard’s side have scored 2+ goals five times, managing this line in 13/23 on home turf and in both meetings with Sunderland this season.
Finally, Jobe Bellingham is Sunderland’s second-most carded player with 10 yellows and one red in 40 appearances – four games fewer than Trai Hume who has only one more booking.
This is likely to be one of the final times that he turns out for Sunderland before following a similar career trajectory as brother Jude, with Dortmund execs supposedly making him a key target this summer as well as reported interest from the Premier League in Manchester United.
Given Coventry’s current strength and Sunderland’s woeful form, the 19 year old might be short of opportunities to flourish and this could result in needless fouls and frustration rearing its ugly head.
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The Sky Blues recovered from back-to-back defeats with a 2-0 victory over Middlesbrough in front of a record crowd at the CBS Arena to close out the regular season.
First-choice goalkeeper Oliver Dovin is unavailable for this match, allowing Ben Wilson to get the nod between the sticks. He is joined by Ephron Mason-Clark, Norman Bassette and Victor Torp on the sidelines for Frank Lampard’s men.
Coventry Predicted XI: Wilson; Van Ewijk, Thomas, Kitching, Bidwell; Grimes, Sheaf; Sakamoto, Rudoni, Wright; Simms.
The Black Cats’ season has tailed off in a major way after QPR handed them their fifth consecutive loss on the final day of the campaign.
Romaine Mundle and Ian Poveda may be fit for the final but look set to miss both semi-final ties.
Sunderland Predicted XI: Patterson; Hume, Ballard, O’Nien, Cirkin; Neil, Bellingham, Roberts, Rigg, Le Fee; Mayenda.
Last Five Meetings:
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