The State of Play
Wolverhampton Wanderers, under the management of former AFC Bournemouth boss Gary O’Neil, have been generally very impressive this season as they try and propel themselves into the top seven and the European qualifying spots this season. They enjoyed a 2-1 defeat of Fulham in the Premier League at Molineux in their most recent outing, last weekend, to keep them in the hunt.
Coventry City have scored 15 goals in three FA Cup victories this season after hammering sixth-tier Maidstone United in the fifth round a couple of weeks ago. The Sky Blues, who were playoff finalists last season, are once again competing for a spot in the top six in the Championship and they come into this one on the back of back-to-back victories; firstly hammering Rotherham by five goals to nil and then edging past Watford.
Team News
Gary O’Neil has been dealing with two key injuries in attack as both Matheus Cunha and Hwang Hee-chan remain unavailable for the hosts. Craig Dawson is a doubt, whilst Pedro Neto and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde are both not expected to be fit for this one.
As for Coventry, they have two injury issues of their own as midfielder Jamie Allen is suffering with a broken cheekbone, whilst Japanese winger Tatsuhiro Sakamoto is missing through injury.
Expected Line-ups
Wolverhampton Wanderers: Sa; Semedo, S. Bueno, Kilman, H. Bueno; Sarabia, Joao Gomes, Doyle, Lemina, Ait-Nouri; Fraser
Coventry City: Collins; Thomas, Latibeaudiere, Kitching; Eccles, Kelly, Torp, Bidwell; Palmer; Wright, Simms
What they Said
Gary O’Neil said last weekend’s win against Fulham was ‘unbelievable’ and his favourite in charge of the club as they overcame adversity with Fulham probably the better side in the game.
Mark Robins admitted this weekend was a ‘tough game’ and a ‘tough ask’ for his players but also heaped praise on O’Neil, describing him as a ‘top young manager’.
When and How to Watch
This match will be played at Molineux at 12:15 on Saturday March 16th and will be shown live on ITV1 in the UK. It will also be able to be streamed live via the ITVX app.
Prediction
In the previous round, Wolves managed a victory in another midlands derby as they defeated their Black Country rivals, West Bromwich Albion, by two goals to nil at the Hawthorns in late-January. The hosts are enjoying a fine campaign and are looking to finish the season strongly with a trip to Wembley a good way to sign off. Coventry are a good team but this should be a step too far and Wolves should get over the line.
