Coventry City predicted team from CoventryLive as Sky Blues reporter Andy Turner attempts to second guess Frank Lampard’s selection to face West Brom
Coventry City boss Frank Lampard is likely to come up with a very different game plan against West Brom to that against Middlesbrough
Having bounced back to form and returning to the top of the Championship with a confidence boosting victory over automatic promotion rivals Middlesbrough, Coventry City now face a very different test.
Not only have they the pressure of maintaining their lead at the head of the division – currently just a point ahead of Boro – but they also need to follow-up Monday’s magnificent win against one of the form teams in the table with three points at West Bromwich Albion – a club that’s been in turmoil this term
Yet to win a single game in 2026, the Baggies have been in free-fall despite the arrival of new boss Eric Ramsay, assisted by former Sky Blues coach Dennis Lawrence. Taking away the 3-1 FA Cup defeat to Norwich last time out, however, back-to-back goalless draws against Stoke and Birmingham in the league suggest a tightening up in defence.
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That makes for a tricky challenge for Frank Lampard’s men who struggled to break down relegation battlers Oxford’s low block at the CBS Arena.
So how does the head coach avoid a frustrating afternoon at The Hawthorns?
The first name on the teamsheet is Carl Rushworth, the goalkeeper enjoying a fine and consistent season on loan. The same can’t be said for the back four of late when Lampard has chopped and changed in search of solidity and stability.
But having barely put a foot wrong on Monday night, the latest central defensive pairing of Bobby Thomas and Joel Latibeaudiere appear set to keep their places. Either side at full-back will be Milan van Ewijk and Jay Dasilva, the latter of whom enjoyed a welcome return to form against Boro.
Frank Onyeka’s outstanding debut puts him on course to continue where he left off, perfectly complementing skipper Matt Grimes to help control the midfield, while Tatsuhiro Sakamoto dazzled on the right wing.
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Jack Rudoni showed signs earlier this week of a return to the player we saw in his first season at City but has hot competition from Josh Eccles who has proved influential in recent weeks in the number ten role.
That leaves Ephron Mason-Clark as arguably first choice on the left flank, although Romain Esse, Jahnoah Markelo and Min-Hyeok Yang – left out of the squad on Monday – remain options if Lampard is looking to freshen things up.
And finally, Haji Wright appears to be the bolt-on starter up front after bagging a hat-trick against Boro and clearly desperate to get back on a goal scoring run ahead of Ellis Simms. Brandon Thomas-Asante, meanwhile, returns to the matchday mix after completing his three match ban for his return to his former club.
Predicted City team: Carl Rushworth; Milan van Ewijk, Bobby Thomas, Joel Latibeaudiere, Jay Dasilva; Frank Onyeka, Matt Grimes; Tatsuhiro Sakamoto, Jack Rudoni, Ephron Mason-Clark; Haji Wright.
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Every day, the CoventryLive football desk strive to deliver all manner of news, features and transfer-related stories as a part of our overall package of Coventry City content.
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