Southampton welcome league leaders Coventry City to St Mary's Stadium in what promises to be one of the standout fixtures of Championship Matchday 22. The Saints are on an upward trajectory under Tonda Eckert, while Frank Lampard's Sky Blues arrive 12 points clear at the top.
The state of play
Southampton sit 10th in the Championship with 30 points from 21 games. Despite dropping to the second tier after finishing bottom of the Premier League last season, the Saints have found their feet under Eckert, winning six of his first eight matches in charge.
The hosts have been formidable at home, winning each of their last four games at St Mary's with an impressive attacking record. They scored three goals in each of their last three home league matches, beating Leicester 3-0, Birmingham 3-1 and West Brom 3-2. However, a 2-1 defeat at Norwich last time out halted their momentum.
Coventry are the runaway leaders with 42 points from 21 matches, an incredible 12 points ahead of third place. The Sky Blues have the division's best attack, though they wobbled slightly in early December with just four points from three games. A 1-0 home win over Bristol City last weekend got them back on track.
Team news
Southampton have received a boost with Tom Fellows declared fit after missing the Norwich defeat with a groin injury. However, Elias Jelert and Mads Roerslev remain sidelined, while Ross Stewart, Samuel Edozie and Damion Downs are all out with injuries.
Coventry are missing their top scorer Brandon Thomas-Asante (hamstring), who has 10 goals this season. The Zambian international's absence is a significant blow to Lampard's attacking options.
Key players
Adam Armstrong has been sensational for Southampton, scoring 11 goals with three assists from 21 games. The striker boasts the league's best shot accuracy at 50% and has scored a brace in each of his last two home Championship matches.
For Coventry, Haji Wright (8 goals) leads the line in Thomas-Asante's absence, while Ellis Simms provides support in a front line that averages 18 shots per match.
Head-to-head
Southampton are unbeaten in seven games against Coventry across all competitions, winning five. The Sky Blues have lost each of their last three competitive matches at St Mary's, most recently a 2-0 defeat in April 2024.
Prediction
Southampton's home form is formidable and Armstrong is in lethal form. Coventry's away record has been less convincing than their home form, with defeats at Wrexham and Ipswich their only league losses this season. This could be a cracker.
Prediction: Southampton 2-2 Coventry
