Coventry City and Northampton Town will each be aiming to build on winning starts to their league campaigns when they face off in round one of the EFL Cup on Wednesday evening.

The Sky Blues beat Nottingham Forest 2-1 in their opening Championship match, while Northampton were 1-0 winners against Port Vale on the opening weekend of the League Two season.

Match preview

Coventry made a magical return to what is now known as the Coventry Building Society Arena on Sunday thanks to their last-gasp victory against fellow Midlands side Forest.

Lyle Taylor fired the Reds in front in the first half, but Viktor Gyokeres equalised in the 81st minute and Kyle McFadzean scrambled home an injury-time winner.

After 28 months away from their home city, Coventry now have a second home game in the space of three days to prepare for when Northampton arrive on Wednesday.

The Cobblers had a Benny Ashley-Seal strike to thank for their hard-fought win against Port Vale, who were reduced to 10 men for the majority of the second half.

Like Coventry, the league will take priority for Town this season, but a cup run would of course be welcome.

Jon Brady's men have a good record in this fixture down the years, losing just two of the last 12 competitive meetings between the sides.

However, each of City's last five competitive wins against Northampton have come in home matches, most recently in 2016.

The Sky Blues have made it beyond the first round of the EFL Cup in the last two campaigns, whereas Town have exited at this stage in four of the last five seasons.

Team News

Simon Moore, Ian Maatsen and Martyn Waghorn all made their full debuts for Coventry in the dramatic win against Forest, but each of those may make way on Wednesday.

That depends on how seriously boss Mark Robins takes the EFL Cup, with the likes of Michael Rose, Jodi Jones and Tyler Walker in contention for starts against Northampton.

As for the visitors, Brady is still no doubt trying to work out his best side after bringing in 12 new signings following relegation from League One last term.

Eight of those started the win against Vale, while the other four - including on-loan Tottenham Hotspur striker Kion Etete - were named on the bench and may start on Wednesday.

Jack Sowerby, Sam Hoskins and Michael Harriman were not deemed fit enough to feature in that opening league game, but they may come into Brady's thoughts here.

Coventry City possible starting lineup:
Wilson; Dabo, Pask, Hyam; Rose, Hamer, Sheaf, Shipley, Jones; Walker, Gyokeres

Northampton Town possible starting lineup:
Roberts; McGowan, Guthrie, Horsfall, Koiki; McWilliams, Flores; Pinnock, Connolly; Kabamba, Rose

We say: Coventry City 3-1 Northampton Town

Robins will likely be tempted to rotate his side between Championship matches, which should balance the playing field a little against League Two side Northampton.

However, backed by a home crowd simply glad to be back in their own city, we can see the Sky Blues progressing to round two for a third season running.

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