Coventry City return to Premier League action on Monday sitting second from bottom, but with a recent victory to protect, as Newcastle United visit the CBS Arena. Both clubs are aiming to resume the form they showed before the international break.
Frank Lampard’s side claimed their first Premier League win of the season, and the club’s first in 25 years, by edging Nottingham Forest 1-0 at the City Ground on 19 September. Jay Dasilva scored the only goal, which was also the first Coventry had managed in the top flight in a quarter of a century. The result made it a memorable evening for the team that won last season’s Championship.
Lampard described the victory as a “relief” and said his players had “shown they can do it” in the Premier League. He added that he has noticed progress, though he is “not overly satisfied” with one win from five matches this season.
“There will be things that they will naturally learn as they go and my job is to be there to support them and understand if they keep going, keep working, belief will grow with that,” Lampard said.
Newcastle also want to pick up where they left off before the break, having beaten Hull City 2-1 three weeks ago. The Magpies have made a steady start under new boss Matthias Jaissle, although their most recent away match ended in a 4-1 defeat at Leeds United.
Jaissle said he is “finally settled” in the north east after moving into his apartment during the break.
Looking ahead to the match, Jaissle acknowledged that Coventry have “momentum” and “confidence”, but said that if his players perform at their best, “it will be difficult to beat us”. He also praised Lampard, calling the Coventry head coach a “pure legend” and one of the players he looked up to.
Team news
Coventry could welcome back right sided wing back Milan van Ewijk after a hamstring injury. The defender, who is 26, may have to settle for a place on the bench, with Lampard unlikely to start him ahead of Caleb Yirenkyi.
Kaine Kesler-Hayden has returned to fitness, but because the Englishman has not featured in any capacity since May, he is unlikely to be thrown straight back into the fray.
Haji Wright, Luke Woolfenden, Josh Eccles and Aurele Amenda remain sidelined, while Taiwo Awoniyi completes a three match suspension after his sending off in the Brighton match.
For Newcastle, Jaissle said he expects “three or four” injured players to return to contention for Monday’s trip, including Joelinton and Nico Gonzalez.
It has been suggested that at least one of Jacob Ramsey, Amar Dedic, Anthony Elanga, Dan Burn, Will Osula, Lewis Miley and Tino Livramento could at least make the bench. However, Ewen Jaouen has been ruled out for up to two months with a hamstring problem.
Expected lineups
Coventry: Rushworth; Mfuni, Pinnock, Thomas; Yirenkyi, Grimes, Onyeka, Dasilva; Rudoni, Mason-Clark; Thomas-Asante
Newcastle: Hornicek; Miley, Thiaw, Botman, Hall; Gonzalez, Willock; Murphy, Fernandez-Pardo, Barnes; Wissa
Official lineups have not yet been confirmed. They are usually announced 20 to 40 minutes before kickoff, depending on the competition.
Kickoff and broadcast
Coventry versus Newcastle kicks off at 8:00pm BST on Monday, October 12 at the CBS Arena. Global broadcast details can be found at premierleague.com.
The hosts have generated buzz after their first league win of the season, but a lack of firepower in front of goal may allow Newcastle to edge this one, according to the preview.
The match at the CBS Arena gives both sides the chance to build on their most recent league results as they return from the international break.
