Two Championship sides in desperate need of three points will lock horns on Thursday evening, as Rotherham United host Coventry City in a crucial relegation battle.

The Millers have spent the last four weeks inside the bottom three, while the Sky Blues sit just one place above them in 21st and remain in the relegation picture.

Match preview

Rotherham United manager Paul Warne pictured in January 2021 © Reuters

Rotherham's hopes of survival remain alive after securing a 3-1 victory against Queens Park Rangers on Tuesday night.

After a goalless first half, Lyndon Dykes broke the deadlock in the 52nd minute, but the game was quickly turned on its head when a two-minute brace from Freddie Ladapo put the hosts in front before Michael Smith sealed the crucial victory in the 90th minute.

That result has moved the Millers to within three points of Thursday's opponents Coventry, and they still have two games in hand.

Rotherham's encounter with the Sky Blues will be the second of four consecutive home matches for Paul Warne's side. However, the Millers have won just five of their 19 matches at the New York Stadium so far this season, the joint-fewest in the division along with Wycombe Wanderers and Preston North End.

Form on home soil has been a problem throughout this campaign, but their next two fixtures against Coventry and Birmingham City on Sunday are matches that Warne will have identified as great opportunities to claim all three points, which would pull them much closer to safety.

Rotherham have won only one of their last four meetings with the Sky Blues, which was a 4-0 home victory in October 2019.

Coventry City's Leo Ostigard celebrates scoring their first goal against Bristol City in the Championship on April 5, 2021 © Reuters

Coventry were unable to build on their 3-1 victory against Bristol City as they were beaten 4-1 away at playoff hopefuls Bournemouth last weekend.

The game at the Vitality Stadium got off to a hectic start as Arnaut Danjuma's 24-second opener was cancelled out in the third minute by Matty James.

Danjuma then scored again in the 28th minute before second-half strikes from David Brooks and Dominic Solanke sealed a comfortable win for the Cherries.

Only Sheffield Wednesday have lost more games on the road than Coventry so far this season, leaving them just outside the relegation zone, with only six games left to play.

Mark Robins's side, who are yet to drop into the bottom three this season, beat Rotherham 3-1 at St Andrew's in December, thanks to strikes from Maxime Biamou, Tyler Walker and a Michael Smith own goal.

Another victory against the Millers would be only their third away from home this campaign, slightly easing any relegation fears for now, as they head down the home straight.

Rotherham United Championship form:

Coventry City Championship form:

Team News

Rotherham United's Jamie Lindsay celebrates scoring their first goal against Derby on January 16, 2021 © Reuters

Rotherham boss Warne will consider freshening up the pack following Tuesday's victory against QPR.

Centre-back Richard Wood could come into the starting lineup for Ryan Giles, which would see Wes Harding move to left wing-back, while midfielders Lewis Wing and Jamie Lindsay could also return to the first XI at the expense of Shaun MacDonald and Ben Wiles.

Ladapo is a doubt after suffering a groin strain in midweek, so this could see top goalscorer Smith joined up front by Matt Crooks.

Joe Mattock is back in training after months on the sidelines with an ankle injury, but he is unlikely to feature on Thursday.

Coventry defender Josh Pask is set to miss out on Thursday after being stretchered off in the defeat to Bournemouth with a head injury.

Robins is hopeful that defender Dominic Hyam can return from illness, with Michael Rose also to be checked on in the build up to the game.

Academy product Josh Eccles could keep his place at right wing-back, with Sam McCallum set to start on the opposite flank.

Strikers Walker and Matt Godden have started the last two matches up front together and this partnership is set to stay intact for the trip to the New York Stadium.

Rotherham United possible starting lineup:
Johansson; Robertson, Wood, MacDonald; Olosunde, Lindsay, Wing, Barlaser, Harding; Crooks, Smith

Coventry City possible starting lineup:
Marosi; Ostigard, McFadzean, Hyam; Eccles, Kelly, James, McCallum; O'Hare; Walker, Godden

SM words green background

We say: Rotherham United 2-2 Coventry City

Rotherham have failed to score in seven of their last 11 Championship games, but did score three against QPR on Tuesday, while Coventry have conceded eight goals in their last three league matches.

Securing three precious points for either side would provide a massive boost in their quest to avoid dropping into the third tier.

An open game with both teams pushing to score goals is to be expected on Thursday, and with little to separate the two sides, an entertaining score draw could be on the cards at the New York Stadium.

Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.

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 44.87%. A win for Coventry City had a probability of 28.01% and a draw had a probability of 27.1%.

The most likely scoreline for a Rotherham United win was 1-0 with a probability of 12.45%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 2-1 (8.8%) and 2-0 (8.57%). The likeliest Coventry City win was 0-1 (9.29%), while for a drawn scoreline it was 1-1 (12.78%). The actual scoreline of 0-1 was predicted with a 9.3% likelihood.