Match Preview Derby County vs Coventry City Championship Game Week 2

Explore Ladbrokes detailed game week one match preview for Derby County vs Coventry City in the Championship. Stats, odds, predictions, and line-ups for the 12:30 BST kick-off from Pride Park Stadium.

Fixture: Derby County vs Coventry City

Date: Saturday, 16 August 2025

Kick-off: 12:30 BST

Venue: Pride Park Stadium

Derby County, coming off a disappointing loss against Stoke City, will be eager to bounce back at home. Their recent performance suggests a need for a more solid defensive strategy, as they conceded three goals in their last outing. Facing a Coventry side that has shown resilience in the championship, Derby will need to capitalise on their home advantage and exploit any weaknesses in Coventry's defence, which has been tested but not breached in their recent games.

Coventry City, on the other hand, will look to continue their unbeaten run, having secured draws against Hull City and Sunderland. Their ability to hold strong teams to draws indicates a disciplined approach, which they will likely maintain against Derby. However, playing away from home might pose a challenge, and they will need to be more clinical in front of goal to secure a win. The match could hinge on which team can better adapt to the other's tactics and capitalise on their opportunities.

Match Prediction: Derby County 1-1 Coventry City

Derby County's recent form has been less than ideal, with a 1-3 loss to Stoke City highlighting defensive vulnerabilities. This defeat could serve as a wake-up call for the team, prompting a more focused and determined performance against Coventry. The pressure to secure points at home might push Derby to adopt a more aggressive approach, aiming to rectify their previous shortcomings and regain confidence.

Recent Championship Results:

• Loss: 1-3 vs Stoke City (A)

Coventry City has shown commendable resilience, drawing their last two matches against Hull City and Sunderland. These results suggest a team that is hard to beat, with a strong defensive setup that has kept clean sheets in both games. However, their inability to convert draws into wins might be a concern, and they will need to find a way to be more decisive in attack if they are to come away with a victory from Derby's home ground.

Recent Championship Results:

• Draw: 0-0 vs Hull City (H)

Historically, Derby County has had the upper hand in recent encounters with Coventry City, winning two of their last five meetings. The most recent match saw Derby secure a 2-0 victory at home, suggesting they have a slight advantage when playing on their own turf.

Recent Results

• Derby County 2-0 Coventry City (11 Mar 2025)

• Coventry City 1-2 Derby County (06 Nov 2024)

• Derby County 1-1 Coventry City (19 Mar 2022)

• Coventry City 1-0 Derby County (08 Jan 2022)

• Coventry City 1-1 Derby County (23 Oct 2021)

• Curtis Nelson (Torn knee ligaments)

• Lars-Jørgen Salvesen (Cruciate ligament tear)

• Kane Wilson (Knee surgery)

• Haji Wright (Achilles tendon problems), 

• Victor Torp (Ankle injury)

• Oliver Dovin (Cruciate ligament tear)

• Bobby Thomas (Calf strain)

• Line-up: Zetterström, Nyambe, Batth, Clarke, Forsyth, Jackson, Goudmijn, Thompson, Blackett-Taylor, Morris, Adams

Derby County's predicted line-up suggests a focus on maintaining a solid defensive structure while relying on the attacking prowess of players like Jackson and Blackett-Taylor. Given their recent loss, they might look to balance their defensive efforts with more dynamic play in midfield to control the game's tempo.

• Line-up: Rushworth, van Ewijk, Thomas, Kitching, Dasilva, Torp, Grimes, Sakamoto, Rudoni, Mason-Clark, Thomas-Asante

Coventry City's line-up indicates a continuation of their disciplined approach, with a strong midfield presence led by Grimes and Rudoni. They will likely aim to control possession and frustrate Derby's attacks, while looking for opportunities to exploit any gaps in Derby's defence.

• Zetterström vs Rushworth: A crucial duel between the goalkeepers, where both will need to be at their best to keep their teams in the game.

• Blackett-Taylor vs Thomas: An intriguing battle on the wing, where Blackett-Taylor's pace and skill will be tested against Thomas's defensive solidity.

• Liam Thompson (Derby County): His role in midfield will be vital for Derby, as he looks to dictate the game's flow and provide defensive stability.

• Tatsuhiro Sakamoto (Coventry City): Sakamoto's creativity and ability to unlock defences could be key for Coventry in breaking down Derby's backline.

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Odds and market details are accurate as of the time of publication.