Oxford United v Coventry City: Prediction, Tips and Odds

Coventry City can move into the Championship play-off places for the first time this season when they face struggling Oxford at Kassam Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Sky Blues were languishing in 17th place in the Championship when Frank Lampard took over, but a run of seven wins in their last eight league games has taken them to within one point of sixth-placed Blackburn Rovers and West Bromwich Albion a place above.

The Baggies, who face a tough lunchtime trip to leaders Leeds, held on to fifth spot thanks to a 2-0 win over Oxford last weekend, when Gary Rowett’s side failed to register a shot on target.

Oxford United v Coventry City betting tips and predictions

Coventry to win - 11/10

Rowett bemoaned the U’s lack of cutting edge at the Hawthorns last Saturday, saying he felt they spent too long trying to build-up play.

Oxford drew a blank in the league for the fourth game in a row and they remain in a parlous position just eight points above the bottom three.

The fixture list has not been kind to them here, with their next game bringing a visit from one of the most confident teams in the division.

Coventry secured another three points at home to Preston last weekend with a 2-1 win that flattered Paul Heckingbottom’s side.

The Sky Blues created enough chances to score five and North End’s late reply from Will Keane looked suspiciously offside.

Lampard’s men have won their last three away league matches against clubs that are currently in much better form than Oxford.

And, to compound Rowett’s problems, the U’s could be without a recognised left-back this week after Joe Bennett picked up an injury that forced them to finish the game with 10 men at the Hawthorns.

First-choice left-back Greg Leigh sustained a bad hamstring injury against Portsmouth the previous week, so central defender Ciaron Brown or right-back Sam Long could be asked to deputise.

The prospect of facing a weakened Oxford defence should have tricky Coventry winger Tatsuhiro Sakamoto licking his lips.

The visitors certainly have the firepower to win and look good value to continue their surge at an odds-against quote. 

Ephron Mason-Clark to score or assist - 11/8

Lampard instantly put his faith in Ephron Mason-Clark after he was appointed Coventry boss in late November.

And the Lambeth-born winger made an immediate impact by scoring the first goal of Lampard’s reign in a 2-2 draw with Cardiff City.

Mason-Clark was named EFL Championship Player of the Month for December after scoring three goals and assisting a further three in Coventry’s next five games before he sustained a significant hamstring injury on Boxing Day.

The 25-year-old missed the Sky Blues’ next eight games before returning in a substitute's role earlier this month, before making his first start in two months last weekend.

In 71 minutes of action at Coventry Building Society Arena, Mason-Clark was a constant menace to Preston’s defence and delivered the cross for Jack Rudoni’s opening goal.

His combined tally of eight goal contributions in his last seven Championship starts make him excellent value to register another goal or assist on Saturday.

Away Exact Team Goals - Coventry to score two goals - 13/5

City have scored exactly two goals in five of their last seven Championship games, while Oxford have suffered back-to-back 2-0 losses coming into this clash.

It may be profitable to back the Sky Blues to double up on goals again given their hosts’ issues in defence and attack.

Because of the U’s carry as little goal threat as they did against West Brom last week, Lampard might be happy for his team to close the game down once they have scored a second goal.

In three of those recent five games where Coventry have registered twice, they scored their second goal before the 50th minute, which may indicate that they are becoming well-versed in managing such leads.

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Oxford United v Coventry City odds

Oxford United - 5/2
Draw - 9/4
Coventry City - 11/10

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.