This Week's Opposition: Coventry City

Jake Smith takes a closer look at the names and numbers powering Portsmouth's next Championship challenge.

A dismal display at Derby last time out dampened Pompey spirits after 4 games unbeaten, but they’ll be looking to put things right again this weekend when they take on Coventry City.

MANAGER

The Sky Blues are now managed by former Chelsea and England midfielder Frank Lampard, who succeeded Mark Robins on the 28th of November.

Lampard began his managerial career with Derby County before moving on to Chelsea and then Everton, where he was sacked last January.

Since arriving at Coventry, the 46-year-old has overseen 2 wins, 1 draw and 1 defeat from 4 games.

ONE TO WATCH

With 3 goals and 5 assists in the league so far this campaign, midfielder Jack Rudoni is our one to watch this weekend.

The 23-year-old, who signed from Huddersfield Town in the summer and scored the winner in last weekend’s win over Hull City, wears the number 5 shirt for the Sky Blues.

TOP SCORER

Los Angeles-born Haji Wright is currently Coventry’s leading scorer in the league, netting 7 Championship goals since the start of the campaign.

The American striker, who has featured 15 times for the United States since his international debut in 2022, has been injured and out of action since the 9th of November.

On that day, the 26-year-old bagged a goal shortly after half-time to help the Sky Blues to a 2-2 draw with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, though he hasn’t featured in any of his side’s 6 games since.

CURRENT FORM

Prior to this weekend’s Championship schedule, Coventry resided in 15th position, collecting 24 points from their opening 21 games which have returned 6 wins, 6 draws and 9 defeats.

In their most recent fixture, Frank Lampard’s side secured a 2-1 home victory over Hull but had to come from behind to get the 3 points.

The last meeting between Portsmouth and Coventry was on the 23rd of July, 2022 at Fratton Park, where 2nd half goals from Viktor Gyokeres and Johnathan Panzo helped the visitors to a 2-0 victory, however the 2 sides haven’t met in the league since February 2020.

Can Pompey bounce back from last week’s capitulation at Pride Park and deliver Blues fans an early Christmas gift?

Tune in and catch all of the unmissable action on Express FM's Pompey Live, which returns from 11:30am this Saturday (December 21st) with full coverage of Portsmouth vs Coventry City in the Championship. Jake Smith will be joined alongside Pepe Lacey and James Wilson at Fratton Park.

Kick-off: 12:30pm!