Coventry City will finally play a home league game this season, after seeing their first three all called off due to pitch issues. This follows the decision from Wasps rugby club, to allow the commonwealth games to use the stadium for the rugby sevens in the summer, without laying a new pitch beforehand. 

Going into the game, Mark Robins' side will be keen to pick up their first victory of the season, after losing their last two matches back-to-back and losing three in a row in all competitions. 

Meanwhile, Preston North End have had an intriguing start to the season, scoring just one goal but conceding zero and sitting tenth in the table. A record breaking start for Ryan Lowe's men but not in the way they'd have hoped for. 

 

  • Team news

Coventry

Robins will be without key-man Dominic Hyam following his move to Blackburn Rovers this week. This means Michael Rose could retain his place in the starting lineup, or Callum Doyle could come in for his first league start since joining on loan from Manchester City. 

Elsewhere, the Sky Blues will be boosted with the return of midfielder Gustavo Hamer, after he was forced to miss the match against Hull City through suspension. This means either Jamie Allen or Kasey Palmer will be dropped to the bench. 

 

Preston

For the visitors, Bambo Diaby and Sean Maguire have only just returned from injury and although they are training, Wednesday's match is likely to come too soon for the pair. 

Alvaro Fernandez is expected to feature in the match day squad after returning from an injury lay-off. Defender Andrew Hughes will undergo a late fitness test due to suffering a shoulder injury during a training session over the last few days. Ryan Lowe is expected to shuffle his side up in a couple of areas. 

  • Likely lineups

Coventry

Moore (GK); Dabo, Rose, McFadzean, Panzo, Bidwell; Hamer, Sheaf, Allen; Godden, Gyokeres (5-3-2)

Preston

Woodman (GK); Potts, Storey, Lindsay, Cunningham, Brady; Whiteman, Ledson; Johnson, Brown ;Jakobsen (5-2-2-1)

 

  • Key players

Matt Godden

Coventry City's player to watch on Wednesday night will be their top goal-scorer Matt Godden. The 31-year-old will be desperate to add to his tally, after grabbing both of the Sky Blues’ goals during the defeat at the MKM stadium on Saturday. 

Godden has three league goals in three games so far in the Championship and is the type of clinical finisher that most sides in the second tier need. He doesn't need a handful of chances to find the back of the net and that in it-self is a major problem for Ryan Lowe's side.

Daniel Johnson

Preston's star man is attacking midfielder Daniel Johnson who loves a goal against the Sky Blues. In fact, the 29-year-old has scored in two of the clubs previous four matches against this weekends opposition and he will definitely be out for more. 

Although Ryan Lowe's men have scored just once this season, through Brad Potts,  they will get chances and Johnson in the attacking role will be a real handful for Coventry's defence, especially if he's given the space to run into, without being closed down. 

  • Match details

Where is the game being played?

For the first time this season, Coventry City will be hosting a league match and it will be played at the CBS (Coventry Building Society) Arena. 

What time is kick-off?

Just like the vast majority of mid-week games in England, the game will be a 19:45 BST kick-off. 

How can I watch the game?

The match will be live to overseas viewers via iFollow for a price of roughly £9.99. Their will be TV score updates via Sky Sports or your usual app providers but the match will not be shown live in the UK. The only other way is to listen to the match via radio or attend the game in person.