On the hunt for a third consecutive league win, Mark Robins's Coventry City travel to Staffordshire on Wednesday to take on Stoke City.

Three victories from the last four games have seen the Sky Blues move up to 18th spot in the Championship table, all but confirming their safety after they previously sat worryingly close to the drop zone, while the hosts will be looking to end a three-game winless run on Wednesday.

Match preview

Stoke City come into this game having picked up just one point from their last three outings, ending their slim chances of finishing in the playoffs.

That point came last time out, as they drew 0-0 with Preston North End, with Stoke defender Harry Souttar coming closest to breaking the deadlock with a header before he was shown a red card in the dying minutes, as he prevented a goal by bringing down last man Alan Browne on the edge of the box.

Before that, Michael O'Neill's side suffered a 2-1 defeat at home to Millwall, followed by a 2-0 away loss at the hands of relegation-threatened Birmingham City.

They will look to put an end to that poor run on Wednesday, as they play host to Coventry City.

The Sky Blues have hugely boosted their chances of survival in recent weeks, recording three victories from their last four games.

Mark Robins's men secured a second consecutive win last time out, defeating sixth-placed Barnsley 2-0 at home thanks to goals from Dominic Hyam and Matt Godden.

Before that, they picked up a crucial victory in a major clash at the bottom of the Championship, as centre-back Leo Ostigard fired the West Midlands outfit to a 1-0 win over 22nd-placed Rotherham United.

As a result, Coventry now sit nine points above the Millers in the bottom three, while three other sides sit between Robins's side and the drop zone.

The Sky Blues will now go in search of a third straight league victory, which could see them move as high as 14th and away from the bottom three for good.

Team News

Stoke City centre-back Harry Souttar is suspended for Wednesday's game, after he was shown a red card in the 0-0 draw with Preston North End on Saturday.

Michael O'Neill also has several injury concerns to deal with, as centre-back Nathan Collins and left-back Morgan Fox both remain out of contention.

Those are not the only injury worries for the Potters, as experienced midfielder Joe Allen remains out with a hamstring issue, while promising attacker Tyrese Campbell is yet to feature since the turn of the year due to his knee injury.

In Campbell's absence, Nick Powell has stepped up for Stoke, recording seven goals and two assists in 18 appearances this calendar year.

Coventry City will remain without Josh Pask, Fankaty Dabo and Ben Sheaf through injury, while winger Jodi Jones is yet to feature this season due to a serious ligament rupture.

There will be competition for places in attack, as Matt Godden pushes for a return to the lineup after his goal off the bench last time out, while Tyler Walker and Maxime Biamou have both struggled for goals in recent weeks.

Callum O'Hare has been a key man for the Sky Blues this season, and he will be hoping for a return to the midfield after he was dropped to the bench for the last game.

The back three of Callum McFadzean, Leo Ostigard and Dominic Hyam have been solid in the last week, helping their side to two wins with consecutive clean sheets, while Ostigard and Hyam have each netted a goal in those victories.

Stoke City possible starting lineup:
Davies; Smith, Chester, Batth, Norrington-Davies; Clucas, Mikel, Thompson; Powell; Brown, Fletcher

Coventry City possible starting lineup:
Wilson; Ostigard, McFadzean, Hyam; Da Costa, Kelly, James, McCallum; O'Hare, Hamer; Godden

We say: Stoke City 0-1 Coventry City

The visitors have found momentum at exactly the right time this season, all but confirming their survival, and we see them extending their strong run on Wednesday.

Robins's men will still be wary of taking their foot off the gas, and will know that another victory should see them home and dry, while their hosts have suffered from having very little to play for at this stage of the campaign.

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