Coventry City 
West Bromwich Albion
Oxford United head into this early kick-off in desperate need of a turnaround, having failed to win in their last six outings (D3, L3). Their struggles in front of goal have been particularly concerning, not scoring in their last four matches while conceding five times in the process. Gary Rowett’s initial impact seems to have faded, but it’s worth noting that Oxford’s recent defeats have come against some of the league’s strongest sides—Leeds (1st), Burnley (3rd), West Brom (5th), and Portsmouth (17th).
A key area of concern for Oxford has been their defensive shape, as highlighted in their recent loss to West Brom. Lining up in a 4-2-3-1, they were pulled apart when West Brom’s right central midfielder, Alex Mowatt, made a clever run that dragged Oxford’s CAM, Tyler Goodrham, out of position. This forced Oxford into an ultra-deep 4-5-1 shape, allowing West Brom’s left central midfielder, Jayson Molumby, the time and space to pick out a precise line-breaking pass. This movement and structural breakdown could be something Coventry City look to exploit, particularly with a midfield trio of Matt Grimes, Josh Eccles, and Jack Rudoni.
One specific tactical detail to watch is Mowatt’s role in the goal. After making the initial decoy run, he timed his arrival into the box perfectly to finish the move. Rudoni, who showcased a similar ability to ghost into the area when he scored against Preston, could be key in mirroring this pattern for the Sky Blues.
Set-pieces and Headed goals are another glaring weakness for Oxford, with seven of their last ten goals conceded coming from either direct headers or second and third-phase set piece situations. With Coventry currently boasting the highest number of headed goals across UEFA’s top five leagues and the Championship, this could be a decisive factor. If City can deliver quality balls into the box, they have a strong chance of capitalizing on Oxford’s aerial vulnerabilities. Ellis Simms will be a key target, while Bobby Thomas and Liam Kitching can also provide a threat from corners and free-kicks.
With Oxford struggling at both ends of the pitch and Coventry’s physical and tactical strengths aligning well against their weaknesses, this could be a game where the Sky Blues make their dominance count, particularly through set-pieces and headed chances.
Last Oxford XI
Oxford League Form: ⬜🟥🟥🟨🟥🟨
Coventry League Form: ⬜🟩🟩🟩🟥🟩
Score Predictions
Elliot (SkyBlueScorecoast) 🟩 – Oxford United 1 – 2 Coventry City
Tom (SkyBlueScorecoast) 🟩 – Oxford United 1 – 3 Coventry City
Gary Weaver (Sky Sports) 🟨 – Oxford United 1 – 1 Coventry City
Sam Parkin (Championship Check In) 🟩 – Oxford United 1 – 2 Coventry City
Benjamin Bloom (Championship Check In) 🟩 – Oxford United 0 – 1 Coventry City