On Sky
Tonight will see the return of the M69 derby, the tag of derby is however based on the proximity of the two clubs rather then the fierce rivalry between the supporters. Both sets of fans would probably name other teams that they consider to be their ‘local rivals’, but they will still consider this game to be an important one.
Both clubs started off in completely different fashion on the opening day of the season, but they still find themselves close together in the bottom half of the table.
Leicester lost their opening two games of the season with very poor performances. They finally got some points on the board with a 3-0 win against Ipswich Town last Saturday.
Coventry on the other hand had a great start to the season, coming back from 1-0 down to win 2-1 against Sunderland. Since that performance Coventry have lost two on the bounce and come into this game below Leicester on goal average.
Both teams will consider this game to be a very important one, even though it’s the beginning of the season. Leicester will be looking to build on their win last week and Coventry will be hoping to stop their losing streak before it becomes a streak.
Vital Quotes:
Coventry City Team News:
Fortunately for Leicester fans, Gary McSheffrey left the Sky blues to join Birmingham in a £4m move this week. The midfielder/striker was a major part of Coventry’s team scoring 17 goals last season and Adams will struggle to find a replacement.
Although Coventry have lost two games on the bounce, they were both away to Cardiff and Southampton which are not the easiest of places to pick up points. Also Coventry have a very good home record at the Ricoh Arena.
Player to watch: Don Hutchinson
This section was written about Gary McSheffrey until he was rudely sold to Birmingham. Due to this a quick look through the Coventry team was needed and a player who seems to never get old.
Don Hutchinson seems to have been playing footballl since the dawn of time . Although the experienced player is getting on in years, he still has a good footballing brain and offers Coventry another dimension.
His legs may not move as quickly as they used to but in a similar fashion to Teddy Sherringham his knowledge of the game puts his 2 yards in front of other players. Although it is doubtful he will start the game don’t be expected to see Hutchinson come on during the second half to either add an attacking option up front or to add a calming infleuncing to the midfield.
Leicester City Team News:
Leicester fans can expect a similar line up to the one which played so well against Ipswich Town last Saturday
James Wesoloski played a full 90 minutes in a friendly against Mansfield on Tuesday and Gareth Williams is back in training. However, it would be very difficult to change Hughes and Johnson from the centre of midfield after their good performance last week.
Another question mark over the line up well be who partners Matty Fryatt up front? Elvis Hammond started the game against Ipswich and put in a solid performance. However, Ian Hume replaced Hammond after 86 minutes and still managed to find the back of the netin injury time. Even though they were only on the pitch together for 5 minutes, Fryatt and Hume linked up like they had done at the end of last season in which they looked one of the best partnerships in the Championship.
Player to watch: Matty Fryatt
Matty Fryatt looked back to his best against Ipswich last Saturday and it was only a combination of the linesman’s flag and sheer bad luck that meant he didn’t finish with a goal. If he receives a similar amount of chances against Coventry then you can guarantee he will score at least one.
Leicester fans are counting the days down until the end of the transfer window hoping that Fryatt will still be at Leicester come the beginning of September. City fans will remember a bid which saw David Connolly leave the foxes for an offer which was “too good to turn down” and hope that a similar bid doesn’t come in for Fryatt.
Match Facts & Stats
Leicester are still to lose to Coventry with Micky Adams in charge, which will cheer up the majority of Leicester fans. The corresponding fixture last season saw the points shared in a lively encounter. 5,000 Leicester fans travelled to the Ricoh arena creating a good atmosphere for the game.
The game finished 1-1and although the both goals were scored in the first half. The second half was still a lively encounter with a two footed lunge from Patrick Kisnorbo (which even had some of the Leicester fans covering their eyes) and a Dennis Wise overhead kick which hit the crossbar (stopping a possible riot if it had gone in).
Match Prediction:
Coventry Prediction: Coventry are strong at home and need a win so 2-0 to the Sky Blues.
Leicester Prediction: The draw was the mostly likely outcome until Coventry lost McSheffrey, but without him Leicester have a chance to take all 3 points back up the M69. The foxes will win 3-0 and Adams to get booed by both sets of supporters!
