COVENTRY City host fellow play-off hopefuls West Bromwich Albion this weekend as the club prepares to pay tribute to legendary former boss John Sillett prior to kick-off.
Sillett – who passed away on Tuesday aged 85 – guided Coventry to FA Cup glory in 1987 when the Sky Blues upstaged Tottenham Hotspur to win 3-2 at Wembley.
And the club will honour John’s memory with a minute’s applause before kick-off with players wearing black armbands as a mark of respect.
A special video of ‘Snoz’ will be played during the minute’s applause with members of John’s family in attendance.
The matchday programme ‘PUSB’ has been dedicated to John with tributes included inside as well as his photo adorning the front cover.
Sky Blues fans will be able to watch the 1987 FA Cup Final on the concourse TVs – whilst the big screen will also show pictures of Sillett in tribute.
FORM
Coventry rescued a sensational point at Bournemouth last time out – scoring twice in the final five minutes to secure a 2-2 draw at the Vitality Stadium.
Todd Kane’s 95th goal snatched a point for City after Matty Godden had reduced the deficit with a powerful strike on 85 minutes – which marked the Sky Blues third successive draw in the league.
West Brom have failed to win any of their last four matches – scoring just one goal in that time – and have dropped to fourth in the table just one point ahead of City in sixth.
The Baggies played out a goalless draw with Nottingham Forest in their last outing despite having Jayson Molumby sent off in the second-half.
TEAM NEWS
Coventry pair Jake Clarke-Salter (heel) and Martyn Waghorn (shoulder) look set to miss out through injury once again but otherwise have a fully fit squad to choose from.
West Brom are set to be without Jake Livermore and Jayson Molumby (both suspended), Dara O’Shea (ankle) and Kean Bryan (knee).
KEY PLAYERS
Coventry – Matty Godden – The livewire striker now has seven league goals to his name this season and is exactly the player City need upfront to trouble West Brom’s back three.
Godden has already netted against the division’s top two teams this campaign which proves he is more than capable of striking against some of the league’s toughest defences.
West Brom – Alex Mowatt – The midfielder followed Baggies boss Valerien Ismael to the Hawthorns from Barnsley in the Summer and has continued to impress at the heart of West Brom’s midfield.
Mowatt has scored three goals this season – two of which have come away from home – but has not found the net since late September and could be due a goal this weekend.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The two teams last met in the league in March 2010 when City were beaten 1-0 at the Hawthorns courtesy of Steven Reid’s goal in a Championship fixture.
Coventry’s last league win against the Baggies came in December 2007 when Leon Best and Michael Mifsud both scored twice in a 4-2 away win.
And the Sky Blues have never beaten West Brom in a league match at the CBS Arena – failing to score on all three occasions.
City have a significantly worse head-to-head record with the Baggies having lost 31 times with 17 wins draws and 16 draws.
PREDICTION
Sky Blues 1-0 West Brom – On what will be an emotionally charged day at the CBS Arena – goals could be at a premium – but City should be able to capitalise on West Brom’s poor current form to take the points.
Coventry’s match with West Brom takes place on Saturday, December 4 with kick-off at 12:30pm at the CBS Arena.
