Preview: Coventry City vs. Preston North End - prediction, team news, lineups

Coventry City and Preston North End square off on Friday evening knowing that they need three points to keep pace with the Championship playoff spots.

Both these teams - who are seventh and ninth in the standings respectively - head into the fixture on the back of putting together at least three-game unbeaten streaks in the second tier.

Match preview

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At a time when Leicester City have been runaway leaders and the likes of Leeds United and Southampton have been putting together sustained runs of form, Coventry have been forgotten about a few places down the table.

The Sky Blues can claim to be one of the form teams in the country, losing just twice in 21 fixtures in all competitions, with 12 wins coming during that period.

Mark Robins's side remain in seventh place - three points adrift of Hull City in sixth spot - but they have impressively kept pace with the teams above them.

On Saturday, Coventry made it seven points from their last three fixtures with a 1-0 victory away at Stoke City, also posting their first clean sheet since Boxing Day.

Coventry now have the eighth-best away record in the division, but it is their return at home that deserves attention with just one defeat being posted and 14 goals conceded in 16 such league fixtures.

Like his opposite number, Ryan Lowe deserves credit for how he has turned things around at Preston, responding to three wins coming from 13 games with 10 points being accumulated from a possible 12.

Preston defeated Ipswich Town, Cardiff City and Middlesbrough in succession before they found themselves trailing 2-0 during the early stages of the derby against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.

By half time, though, Preston were level at Deepdale, and they were ultimately disappointed that they had to settle for a share of the spoils against their struggling opponents.

Nevertheless, still sitting within six points of fifth-placed West Bromwich Albion, Preston remain very much in the conversation for promotion, albeit aware that Friday's fixture could prove pivotal in their season.

Team News

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With Victor Torp suffering a calf injury against Stoke, veteran Liam Kelly may be recalled into the Coventry midfield.

Tatsuhiro Sakamoto is also in line to return on the right flank after a sickness bug to take the place of Nuno Tavares.

While Milan van Ewijk and Kasey Palmer are both in contention for recalls, the remainder of the Coventry XI could stay the same.

Although Preston suffered a slow start against Blackburn, they were able to recover the situation, and it could lead to Lowe being prepared to select the same starting lineup.

If a change is made, Ali McCann may be restored in midfield, but the likes of Brad Potts and Duane Holmes are expected to miss out through injury.

Coventry City possible starting lineup: Wilson; Latibeaudiere, Thomas, Binks, Dasilva; Kelly, Eccles; Sakamoto, O'Hare, Wright; Simms

Preston North End possible starting lineup: Woodman; Storey, Lindsay, Hughes; Millar, Browne, Whiteman, Frokjaer-Jensen, Brady; Riis, Keane

We say: Coventry City 2-1 Preston North End

With both teams enjoying some of their best form of the season, they will each expect to collect at least another point from this contest. However, with one home defeat all season, it is difficult to back against Coventry, who could battle their way to victory by the odd goal in three.

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