In the Premier League's basement battle, Coventry City will welcome Sunderland to Coventry Building Society Arena on Saturday.

The Sky Blues come into the match in 19th place with just six points after eight matchweeks, and they are only above 20th-placed Sunderland by a point.

Match preview

Coventry may have taken six points from their clashes with Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United in late September and early October, but they have since lost two consecutive league games.

Their most recent result was a 1-0 defeat against Fulham on October 24, and they will feel disappointed to have conceded an 80th-minute winner given the Cottagers only managed to produce nine touches inside the box in the second half.

Frank Lampard's side are by no means cut adrift in the relegation zone given just three points separate them from 13th-placed Bournemouth.

The hosts are set to play five of the bottom nine over their next eight top-flight fixtures, meaning the autumn and winter period could be determinative in their fight for survival.

Coventry have lost four of their five games at home this season, including three of their four Premier League outings at the stadium.

In the league, Lampard's side failed to score three times at home, and while they conceded on eight occasions, five of those goals came in a 5-0 loss against Brighton & Hove Albion on September 13.

Sunderland's season has been disastrous, with the club only taking one point from the last 15 on offer in the league, with that point coming when they drew 0-0 with Leeds United on October 25.

Regis Le Bris's side have at least been more competitive on the continental stage, winning twice and drawing once in three Europa League contests, while they also advanced into the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup on Wednesday after beating Brentford 3-2.

A strong argument could be made that the Black Cats' poor league form can in part be explained by their exhausting exploits in Europe.

The visitors' record against their hosts is poor considering they have only won one of their past 12 meetings with Coventry, a period in which they were beaten six times.

Sunderland's performances on their travels have been poor this campaign, with the team failing to win any of their four away clashes in the league (W0, D1, L3), while they have only emerged as victors in one of their six away matches in all competitions.

Coventry City Premier League form:

Coventry City form (all competitions):

Sunderland Premier League form:

Sunderland form (all competitions):

Team News

Coventry centre-back Bobby Thomas has started in every league match so far, but after being withdrawn on the hour mark against Fulham, Lampard revealed that he does not yet know the extent of the defender's injury.

Should he miss out on the weekend, perhaps Stephen Mfuni will be used alongside Ethan Pinnock, while Matt Grimes and Frank Onyeka will be expected to provide protection to the backline from midfield.

Striker Taiwo Awoniyi will hope to score his first Premier League goal for the club in his fourth league start, while Jack Rudoni will be looking to score a third goal in four top-flight games.

As for Sunderland, there are concerns about centre-back Omar Alderete given he was taken off against Brentford in the second half, though he appeared to be replaced due to an arm hitting his face rather than a muscle injury.

Assuming the defender is able to recover in time for Saturday's clash, he may be joined in the heart of defence by Luke O'Nien, especially as Daniel Ballard remains injured.

Granit Xhaka is a certain inclusion in the middle, while Brian Brobbey may return to lead the line ahead of Habib Diarra.

Coventry City possible starting lineup:

Rushworth; Van Ewijk, Mfuni, Pinnock, Dasilva; Grimes, Onyeka; Thomas-Asante, Rudoni, Mason-Clark; Awoniyi

Sunderland possible starting lineup:

Roefs; Mukiele, O'Nien, Alderete, Reinildo; Sadiki, Xhaka; Rigg, Diarra, Angulo; Brobbey

We say: Coventry City 1-2 Sunderland

Sunderland will be delighted to have won last time out against Brentford, and they will head into Saturday's game confident.

Coventry have rarely offered enough threat at home this season, and their inability to consistently create chances could help the Black Cats claim three points.

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