Coventry City will host Maidstone United in the Round of 16 of the FA Cup. Following their incredible victory over Ipswich Town in the previous round, National League South team Maidstone is looking to make even more history while the home team fights for promotion to the Championship.
Preview (Coventry City vs. Maidstone United)
In their 16 Championship games from 2023–24, Coventry had only lost once at home. Mark Robins would have anticipated that his team would at least split the points against Preston North End. Rather, the visitors turned in one of their greatest games of the year to win 3-0. They move up to seventh place in the standings, above Coventry. It is a wake-up call for the Sky Blues, who had the opportunity to move into the playoff slots. They have lost only twice in their previous 21 games across all competitions.
While some may view this competition as a diversion, Robins will now embrace it. It will help his players find their form again and get closer to playing at Wembley Stadium. With the help of a replay, Coventry overcame Oxford United and Sheffield Wednesday. On the other hand, Maidstone has had one of the most illustrious runs in FA Cup history. They have won seven ties without the need for a replay. The sixth-tier team had to play away from home for each of the fourth qualifying rounds. They winning at the Gallagher Stadium against Barrow and Stevenage, two EFL teams.
Their best performance to date, though, came at Portman Road where they unexpectedly defeated Ipswich Town 2-1, scoring on only two of their 38 shots while holding out all but one of their opponents’ efforts. A team from below the fifth division hasn’t advanced to the FA Cup’s fifth round since 1978, and this is happening as they’re vying to get back into the National League. The team captained by George Elokobi has lately fallen to sixth place in the National League South. They prepared for this match by losing 2-0 at Aveley and drawing 1-1 at home against Hemel Hempstead Town.
Team News
With Matt Godden, Jake Bidwell, Liam Kelly, Victor Torp, Kasey Palmer, and Jake Bidwell all facing recalls, Robins will undoubtedly make changes to his Coventry XI. Liam Kitching ought to return to the defense’s center, while Brad Collins, the goalie, might make a comeback to the net after being sidelined since February 14. After appearing to sustain a major injury in the first half of the match against Preston, Tatsuhiro Sakamoto is out of commission, joining Ben Sheaf and Jamie Allen on the sidelines.
Harry Kyprianou was the only member of the Maidstone squad missing from the starting lineup for the Aveley game out of those who started the Ipswich game. Receiving Greenidge should fill in at the defensive end if he is unable to play, but a lot can rely on whether Elokobi decides to switch up his lineup for another big match.
Coventry City 3-0 Maidstone United
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