Sky Sports pundit David Prutton predicts West Brom vs Coventry City result amid slump
David Prutton has predicted West Brom will be held to a draw by mid-table Championship rivals Coventry City on Friday night.
The past two Baggies games have seen a sickening late defeat to high flying league leaders Burnley and a heavy loss to Bristol City to be dumped out of the FA Cup.
Prior to that Carlos Corberan had only lost once in all competitions since his first game in charge of the club, 1-0 at Coventry on 21 December, amid a major upturn in form that catapulted the club back into the play off race, but Prutton expects a 2-2 draw this time around.
In his Sky Sports prediction column he said: “West Brom have had a bumpy couple of weeks. There is no shame in losing at Burnley, but Carlos Corberan has extremely high standards and he’ll be frustrated they took the lead and then lost it so late on.
“This is a chance to bounce back, but Coventry returned to winning ways last weekend, and they beat the Baggies at home just before Christmas. I fancy a few goals here, but I can’t split them. Score draw.”
Back on the horse
The Baggies may have fallen to 10th, but they are still only two points away from the play off places so a positive result here can quickly overcome the recent slip.
Immediately putting together another run of wins after losing against the Sky Blues last time was one of the most impressive elements of the Spaniard’s time in charge at the Hawthorns, so repeating the trick in front of the home fans would be a boost.
After a mixed bag of a transfer window it would also help to overcome the uncertainty that potential comings and goings always causes to get back to winning ways.
Marc Albrighton has arrived to fill the gap left by Matt Phillips’ injury, while multiple other deals in and out didn’t end up happening on another confused deadline day.
That all has to be quickly forgotten to overcome a side that are currently three points behind Albion in the table.
Burnley have been in such strong form under Vincent Kompany that Prutton is right in there being no shame in the loss, even if the fans and the manager would have been annoyed to lose late from a winning position.
The cup defeat was far worse, but that has to be spun into a positive for the rest of the season that there won’t be the distraction of another competition and more time on the training ground can be used for the promotion push.
A reaction is needed from that match and another home outing under the lights would be a great place to provide it.
In other West Brom news, a league rival’s delayed action confused matters on deadline day and saw an exciting signing not arrive at the Hawthorns.