Brighton & Hove Albion v Coventry City, Saturday 17th February, 3pm
Premier League side Brighton take on League Two side Coventry on Saturday as the Seagulls look to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 1986. The Sky Blues travel down to the south coast more in hope than expectation, but they have already knocked a Premier League side out of this year’s competition, beating Stoke 2-1 in the third round to bring an end to Mark Hughes’ time with the Potters.
Form Guide
Brighton
Brighton are in good form heading into this one and are undefeated in their last four games. They have settled fairly well in the Premier League and recovered from their 4-0 home hammering by Chelsea. They overcame a difficult hurdle last time out in this competition by beating Middlesbrough away 1-0 and will fancy their chances here against the lowest ranked side left in the competition.
Coventry
Coventry meanwhile have crumbled in League Two. Their promotion push has been derailed with three consecutive defeats against Forest Green Rovers, Accrington Stanley and Colchester dropping them from fourth to ninth. The automatic promotion places now look out of reach and they will need to go on a run just to make the play-offs. This cup game could give the squad a break from the pressures of the league.
Head-To-Head
History favours the underdog on this occasion. This century the sides have met nine times and Brighton have come out on top just once. Coventry have won three of the last four meetings between the two sides but their most recent meeting was in the Championship in 2011 when things were going a little smoother for the Sky Blues.
Did You Know?
Coventry City have not finished in the top six of ANY football division for 48 years. In the 1969/70 season they finished sixth in Division 1.
Team News
Brighton
Chris Hughton has an almost full-strength side to choose from with Jiri Skalak and Steve Sidewell being the only absentees. Record signing Jurgen Locadia is expected to start for the first time since joining from PSV in January for £14 million. Hughton is expected to make a few changes from his Premier League line-up as he faces up against a League Two side but there is an FA Cup quarter-final place at stake.
Coventry
Coventry’s squad has been depleted over the last few games due to an illness running through the squad and that has played a part in their poor performances. Captain Michael Doyle is likely to miss out through injury whilst Jack Grimmer is unlikely to be risked following a hamstring strain, with a League Two promotion push taking priority. Defender
Tom Davies is out with a broken collarbone for the next few months whilst experienced winger Kyel Reid is cup-tied for this game having been on loan at Colchester earlier in the season. With few options they are likely to name an unchanged side from their Tuesday night loss at Colchester.
Expected Line-ups:
Brighton: Krul; Rosenier, Dunk, Hunemeier, Suttner; Knockaert, Stephens, Kayal, Izquierdo; Locadia, Hemed.
Coventry: Burge, Willis, Hyam, McDonald, Stokes; Vincenti, Kelly, Bayliss, Shipley; Biamou, McNulty.
Prediction
I really can’t see anything other than a convincing home win here. A fully fit Coventry side may have been able to challenge the Premier League side but in the form they are in Brighton should be able to score as many goals as they like. Not even the ‘Magic of the cup’ can save the Sky Blues here.
Brighton 3-0 Coventry
