Why Sunderland fans will want surprising winner in Coventry City vs Middlesbrough this weekend ahead of play-offs…
Sunderland host Queens Park Rangers this weekend, but will be keeping an eye on the Championship’s results to see which of their rivals makes it into the play-off places.
Championship final day for the 2024/25 season is set up to be a fitting conclusion to the dramatic campaign.
At the top of the second tier, Leeds United and Burnley are already promoted, with Sheffield United and Sunderland below already booking a play-off semi-final place before this weekend’s fixtures.
Towards the bottom, Cardiff City and Plymouth Argyle are demoted to League One, and a handful of bottom-half sides could join them and must win on Saturday to stave off the dreaded drop.
Between the foot and the summit, the remaining two top-six places are yet to be determined, with a host of top-half sides vying for fifth and sixth.
Despite being bitter regional rivals, Regis Le Bris’ side could ironically be hoping for a Middlesbrough win this weekend, with the Championship play-offs campaign looming.
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Photo by Trevor Wilkinson | MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by Trevor Wilkinson | MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Sunderland may want Middlesbrough to win vs Coventry City
Sunderland head into their inconsequential final day clash at home to Queens Park Rangers, who will be without head coach Marti Cifuentes who is on gardening leave amid links with a move away, on the back of a disappointing 2-0 defeat at Oxford United.
Below them in the Championship table on the final day, Coventry City host Boro as both sides hope to secure a top-six place, and both could jump to fifth if the result goes their way and book a spot against Sunderland in the play-off semi-finals.
Frank Lampard’s side lost in controversial circumstances at Luton Town last time out, with Michael Carrick’s side also dropping points in their 0-0 home draw with Norwich.
Saturday 3rd May
Championship
Coventry
12:30
Middlesbrough
OPTA’s final day projections suggest a draw is the most likely outcome at the CBS Arena, which would mean the Sky Blues secure sixth-place, and Bristol City remain in fifth following their predicted victory at relegation-threatened Preston.
Sunderland, however, may be hoping for a different outcome to the one prophesied by OPTA, that would see their regional rivals Boro keep Coventry out of the top-six.
Why Sunderland may want Middlesbrough to win vs Coventry
Coventry have historically been a ‘bogey team’ for Sunderland.
The Black Cats have failed to beat the Sky Blues in over 18 years, with their last victory coming in the 2-0 Championship home win back in February 2007.
In ten league outings since, Sunderland have drawn five times and been beaten on five occasions, one loss of which came before the March international break with their 3-0 hammering at Coventry.
The Black Cats also yield a rotten injury record against their old enemy, with Niall Huggins suffering an ACL injury last season against Coventry.
Romaine Mundle and Alan Browne also both went off injured in the 2-2 draw earlier this season and were subsequently sidelined for months.
If permutations proceed that see Sunderland face Boro or Coventry in the semi-finals, the Black Cats’ worrying record in the play-offs, and against one of those sides bodes significant concern for the Wearside faithful.
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Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images
Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images
Sunderland’s recent record vs Middlesbrough and Coventry City
Under Le Bris this season, Sunderland have taken six points from Boro.
Championship Apprentice of the Season Chris Rigg scored an audacious backheel at home to secure a 1-0 early in the campaign. Months later, the Black Cats beat Boro 3-2 at the Riverside, in a game bound by the magic spell of Roma loanee Enzo Le Fee.
The Wearsiders have won three of their last six second tier clashes against Boro, losing twice and drawing once, with two of those wins coming this term under the Frenchman.
Position Team Played Won Drawn Lost For Against Diff Points.
3
Sheffield Utd
45 28 7 10 62 35 27 89
4
Sunderland
45 21 13 11 58 43 15 76
5
Bristol City
45 17 16 12 57 53 4 67
6
Coventry
45 19 9 17 62 58 4 66
7
Millwall
45 18 12 15 46 46 0 66
8
Blackburn
45 19 8 18 52 47 5 65
9
Middlesbrough
45 18 10 17 64 54 10 64.
Coventry, however, have taken four points from six on offer against Sunderland this season, extending their profitable historical run against the Black Cats.
In their last six Championship clashes against Sunderland, Coventry have won three and drawn three against Sunderland.
Three points for Boro this Saturday would point the fortunes of history in Sunderland’s favour for a potential semi-final double-header against their bitter regional rivals.
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