The two teams were promoted from League One together last season, but have spent the majority of the campaign so far towards the wrong end of the table.

Match preview

Coventry City's Tyler Walker scores against Cardiff City in the Championship on November 25, 2020 © Reuters

Neither side have actually dropped into the bottom three yet, with Coventry four points clear in 19th position, just ahead of Rotherham in 20th, who are three points above the dotted line.

The Sky Blues are back at their makeshift home of St Andrew's after consecutive 1-1 draws on the road at Norwich City and Derby County.

They trailed in both games before snatching late equalisers – Maxime Biamou popping up in the 89th-minute against the Canaries and Gustavo Hamer striking in stoppage time against the Rams.

It means they are currently on a four-game unbeaten run, their longest streak so far this season, which Mark Robins has labelled "a step forward" as they seek to avoid an immediate return to the third tier.

No side has conceded more goals in the Championship than Coventry (25), but they have looked more solid in recent games, conceding just twice in their last four.

Rotherham United manager Paul Warne pictured on September 12, 2020 © Reuters

Rotherham, meanwhile, have not kept a clean sheet in their last seven games, and fell to a 2-0 defeat at home to Brentford on Tuesday night.

Mickel Miller was sent off late on to compound the Millers' woes, but Paul Warne said he was "proud" of the performance.

Warne cited fatigue as a factor in his team's defeat, as the hectic fixture list continues to take its toll on a squad that is already missing multiple key players through injury.

The Yorkshire outfit have won just two of their last 55 away games in the Championship and have lost their four most recent matches on the road.

Coventry City Championship form: LLDWDD

Rotherham United Championship form: LWLLDL

Team News

Coventry City manager Mark Robins pictured in October 2020 © Reuters

Ben Wilson continues to deputise for the injured Marko Marosi in goal, with Lee Camp signing in the last week to provide additional support in that position.

Centre-back Michael Rose is fit again, but considering how solid Coventry have been without him, he may have to settle for a place on the bench for now.

Mickel Miller is unavailable for Rotherham following his red card against Brentford, but the Millers can welcome back Michael Ihiekwe from his suspension.

Paul Warne has no fresh injury concerns ahead of the game, but is still without long-term absentees Shaun MacDonald, Chiedozie Ogbene, Clark Robertson and Kieran Sadlier.

Coventry City possible starting lineup:
Wilson; Dabo, McFadzean, Hyam, McCallum; Sheaf, Hamer; Jobello, Allen, Giles, Biamou

Rotherham United possible starting lineup:
Blackman; Harding, Wood, Ihiekwe; Olosunde, Lindsay, Wiles, Barlaser, Mattock; Ladapo, Smith

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We say: Coventry City 2-1 Rotherham United

Both teams will see this as an opportunity for a rare win, which will hopefully lead to an exciting encounter full of chances. Coventry have become hard to beat in recent weeks and will go into the game as favourites, particularly considering Rotherham's away woes.

Top betting tip

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Data Analysis

Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Rotherham United win with a probability of 40.96%. A win for Coventry City had a probability of 32.03% and a draw had a probability of 27%.

The most likely scoreline for a Rotherham United win was 0-1 with a probability of 11.19%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 1-2 (8.53%) and 0-2 (7.45%). The likeliest Coventry City win was 1-0 (9.62%), while for a drawn scoreline it was 1-1 (12.81%). The actual scoreline of 3-1 was predicted with a 2.8% likelihood.