Sunderland vs. Coventry City: Championship 2024-25 Play-Offs Tips

After a great game at the CBS, Coventry City will now travel to the Stadium of Light with hopes of overturning Sunderland's one-goal lead. It is certainly lining up to be a great game.

Ben's Bets for Sunderland vs. Coventry City

At the time of writing this, the lineups were not available to us, so I have tried to make some assumptions about the lineup, whilst only tipping players I think will start. It is worth stating here that I would not advise placing any bets until the lineups are out for both teams.

I've taken a few more risks with these selections, yet I still feel rather confident with them, and think we could be in for another good game here after going 3/5 in our tips for Sheffield United vs Bristol City last night.

So, without further ado, let's dive into my reasoning.

Over 10.5 Corners

I tipped this selection in the previous game, and it flew in with 14 corners in the first leg, and I was slightly tempted to make a little bit of a change here. However, I think this gives us a nice enough line without as much risk.

Away from home this season, Coventry have had a questionable record, with around 12.5 corners per game on average in their games whilst Sunderland average 9.5, which is close enough to our mark.

We are going to see Coventry chase the game here, which you will see in my other tips, and I think there could be more than 11 in complete honesty. So, I am rather tempted to play a bit of a ladder bet personally - Over 10.5, Over 11.5, Over 12.5 with stakes lessening on each.

At 20/21, we're still getting around the Evens mark, which is what we got last time too and I think it's a very generous price.

Anthony Patterson to Make 2.5+ Saves

You might see a pattern emerge here, however, I believe Coventry will have a lot of the chances in this game, especially as the chasing team, whether that be efforts from range or from close range.

At above evens, I really like this pick, and again, I think the price is very generous.

In this first leg, Coventry had three shots on target, which was very low for the Sky Blues, and considering the stakes, this will surely increase here. Patterson has made five saves across two games against them too this season, so I think again we're in a good place.

Jack Rudoni to Score or Assist

I hate repeating picks, especially in a play-off game, it almost feels lazy. However, I cannot look past Jack Rudoni again here.

The Englishman has been at the heart of everything this season, and with Cov needing inspiration, he is the man to look to. Scoring their only goal in the first leg, I believe he will be pivotal to any successes that the visitors have on Tuesday night.

This will be another game where they should be on the front foot, and whilst Sunderland may sit in a little more, a player like Rudoni will be entrusted with picking apart the defence.

Matt Grimes to be Carded

I must admit, I'm slightly taken aback by this price, and 4/1 feels overly generous indeed. However, I'm not going to complain, and instead we'll look at why this could be a really nice selection.

In his two games against Sunderland for the Sky Blues this season, he has made two fouls (first leg) and one in the league game, whilst for Swansea he made four fouls in the game against the Black Cats - avoiding a card somehow.

Considering Ben Sheaf has already been booked, I think Grimes could be tasked with being the more aggressive midfielder - which he is capable of - and this could see him getting stuck in a little more.

Maybe playing a foul would be slightly safer, but at 4/1, I can't look away here.

Coventry City to Win (-1 Handicap)

This should not be 6/1, and I am looking to take advantage of this. You're effectively betting on Coventry to qualify in 90 minutes, and at 6/1 that feels really generous.

Again, I'm going to reference the fact that Sunderland's bogey team is Coventry, and whilst they won the first leg, I think there is going to be an overload of pressure on the Black Cats, which the playing season showed they are not great with.

The first leg ended with a bad mistake by Milan van Ewijk, and I don't think the scoreline was a fair reflection of the game. Then, we can also consider the fact that Sunderland have the 20th worst home record in the division recently, and whilst the Sky Blues' isn't inspiring, at this price, I'm going to chance it.