COVENTRY City are aiming to secure just their second away win of the season when they take on Hull City at the MKM Stadium tomorrow afternoon.
The Sky Blues last won on the road back in August when Viktor Gyokeres scored the only goal in a 1-0 win at Blackpool.
City remain in the Sky Bet Championship play-off places as they sit fourth in the table – three points clear of the chasing pack.
Their opponents Hull have struggled for form since returning to the second tier – having won the League One title last term.
The Tigers find themselves in 22nd position in the table – occupying the final relegation spot – having taken nine points from their 14 matches.
FORM
Coventry were frustrated in their last outing after being forced to settle for a point against a resolute Derby County with Matty Godden on target from the penalty spot in a 1-1 draw.
The Sky Blues were beaten 2-1 by Preston North End in their most recent away game – despite Tyler Walker’s strike putting City ahead at the break.
Hull are the joint lowest scorers in the Championship this season with nine goals and have won just one game since the opening day of the campaign (13 matches).
The East Yorkshire side have lost each of their last three matches – going down 1-0 away at Luton Town last weekend.
TEAM NEWS
Coventry have no fresh injury or suspension concerns following their draw with the Rams meaning they have a fully fit squad for their trip to the MKM Stadium.
Hull are set to be without Tom Huddlestone and Alfie Jones both of whom are suffering from hamstring injuries.
WHAT THE MANAGERS SAID
Sky Blues boss Mark Robins wants his side to play without fear at the MKM Stadium and highlighted the quality that Hull possess in attack as the main threat to his side.
Robins said: “Grant McCann has done a brilliant job there and got them playing in a way he wants them too – he wants to stick to his guns which is admirable.
“They are a hard-working side but they’ve got some really good quality, Keane Lewis-Potter off that left hand side, we know Mallik Wilks, Magennis up front with some really good quality.
“They’ve got some really good players and they are just finding their feet at the level again, which is tough, we know ourselves, we found it last year, it takes a while to find your feet.
“I expect a tough challenge, they’ve given everybody a tough game so far and they work really hard to try and make it difficult for you but also wanting to move you around.
“It’s a brilliant stadium, I’ve only been there a few times, but it’s a great playing surface so it’ll be a decent game of football, but they’ll try and get after us and we’ve got to cope with that.
“I want us to go in with no fear and try and play our game.”
Hull manager Grant McCann praised the work Robins has done in helping establish Coventry as a Championship side and is expecting a tough match on Saturday afternoon.
McCann said: “The game against Coventry is going to be another tough game – they’re a team that has started really well.
“Mark Robins has done a really good job – they came through from League One and had to consolidate last season, not playing at their own stadium is always difficult.
“They adapted to that really well – this year they look stronger – Mark has done a fantastic job to bring Coventry from League Two to the Championship.
“It’s a team that has found its feet very well in the Championship this season – they’re energetic and play on the front foot – they’ve got goals in the team and they’re playing with confidence.
“We’re looking forward to the game and it’s going to be good test for us at home.”
KEY PLAYERS
Coventry – Gus Hamer – If the Brazilian dominates the midfield battle at the MKM Stadium then the Sky Blues will be well on their way to victory.
Hamer will need to better Hull’s Richard Smallwood on Saturday afternoon and always looks a class above when on his game.
Hull – Keane Lewis-Potter – The 20-year-old academy graduate fired the Tigers to promotion last season with 13 goals in League One and tops their goalscoring and assists charts this term.
The striker scored in Hull’s opening day win away at Preston and despite the goals having dried up of late he remains the Tigers most threatening player in attack.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The two teams last met in March 2012 when City won 2-0 in East Yorkshire thanks to Liam Cooper’s own goal and a late strike from Cody McDonald.
Hull’s last home win against the Sky Blues came in January 2008 when Caleb Folan’s last minute winner secured the points for the Tigers.
Perhaps surprisingly, Hull have a better head-to-head record having win 18 of their 43 matches against City compared to Coventry’s 16 wins with nine draws.
PREDICTION
Hull 0-1 Sky Blues – Despite their well-documented struggles away from home, Coventry should get the job done and maintain their unlikely promotion push.
Coventry’s match against Hull gets underway at 3pm on Saturday, October 30 at the MKM Stadium.
