Liam Garcia
Dailysports's expert
On 13 May 2025, the Stadium of Light in Sunderland will host the decisive Championship play-off second leg between Sunderland and Coventry. In my view, this tie is far from settled.
Preview
The second leg between Sunderland and Coventry in the Championship play-offs promises to be a heated affair. The first match at Coventry’s ground delivered intrigue, tension, and a dramatic finale. The Black Cats took a crucial away win, playing mostly on the counter. In the middle of the second half, the teams traded quick goals, and just when a draw seemed inevitable, a costly error by the hosts led to the decisive strike: visiting forward Eliezer Maenda punished the sloppy defending and secured a vital victory for his team.
This result was especially painful for Coventry, who had lost only one of their previous eight home fixtures, winning the other seven. It was a bitter setback, particularly considering Sunderland entered the play-offs in the midst of a clear crisis: five straight defeats and just one goal scored in that stretch.
But in the play-offs, league tables and stats take a back seat. Sunderland, despite their poor end to the season, managed to regroup at the crucial moment. Régis Le Bris’s side produced a mature, calculated display and took the first step towards the Wembley final.
Still, Coventry’s hopes are far from extinguished. The away goals rule does not apply in the Championship play-offs, so a one-goal victory would send the tie to extra time, and if needed, to penalties. The only problem is Frank Lampard’s squad have been poor on the road: no wins in their last five away games, four losses, and just one draw.
Nevertheless, this Coventry side has already shown it can overcome adversity. When Lampard took over, the club sat 17th, just two points above the relegation zone. Finishing the regular season in fifth and reaching the play-offs after such a start is an achievement in itself. But now, there’s even more at stake—a Premier League ticket.
Both teams are in inconsistent form, but it’s precisely these circumstances that make the play-offs such a thrilling spectacle. Ahead lies a return leg where not only tactics and form, but also mental resilience, will be decisive. Everything will be settled at the Stadium of Light.
Probable lineups
- Sunderland: Anthony, Hume, Ballard, O’Nien, Cirkin, Roberts, Neil, Bellingham, Le Fée, Maenda, Isidor
- Coventry: Wilson, van Ewijk, Thomas, Kitching, Dasilva, Grimes, Sheaf, Sakamoto, Rudoni, Thomas-Asante, Wright
Match facts and H2H
- Before their recent first-leg play-off victory, Sunderland had not beaten Coventry since 2007. In that time, the sides met ten times: five draws and five wins for the Sky Blues.
- In the regular season, Coventry held the upper hand across the two matches, collecting four points. The team earned an emphatic 3-0 home win and drew 2-2 at the Stadium of Light.
- In each of Sunderland’s last five home games, the “under 2.5 goals” bet has come in.
- Coventry, meanwhile, have struggled to score away from home—netting more than once in a game just once in their last five road trips.
Prediction
Despite the disappointing result in the first leg, Frank Lampard’s side still have every chance of reaching the final. Coventry will surely be determined to deliver their best, especially given Sunderland’s inconsistency at the end of the season. We believe the visitors are capable of at least avoiding defeat. Our pick: Coventry not to lose (X2) at odds of 1.68.
