EFL Championship – Matchday 23
Friday, December 26, 2025 (Boxing Day)
Coventry Building Society Arena, Coventry
Kick-off: 15:00 GMT
Coventry vs Swansea Prediction
Championship leaders Coventry City welcome Swansea City to the Coventry Building Society Arena for a festive Boxing Day showdown. Frank Lampard’s Sky Blues sit top of the table with a six-point cushion, while Swansea arrive looking to build on recent improvements despite continued struggles away from home.
Coventry’s exceptional home record, attacking firepower, and overall squad quality give them a clear edge over a Swansea side that continues to struggle away from home. While the Swans’ recent resurgence adds intrigue, the gulf in consistency is hard to ignore.
Coventry City Form & Standout Players
Coventry have been the standout side in the Championship this season, boasting the league’s best attack with 53 goals scored. While recent form has dipped slightly just five points from their last four matches they remain unbeaten at home, winning their last seven league games at the Arena.
Coventry City Key Players (2025/26)
- Top Goalscorer: Brandon Thomas-Asante (10 goals)
- Most Assists: Milan van Ewijk (5 assists)
- Most Suspensions: Milan van Ewijk (6)
- Most Minutes Played: Carl Rushworth (1980’)
Rushworth has been ever present in goal, while van Ewijk continues to influence games from right-back.
Coventry City Injuries & Suspensions
- Bobby Thomas – Flu
- Tatsuhiro Sakamoto – Flu
- Liam Kitching – Flu
- Brandon Thomas-Asante – Hamstring injury (mid-January 2026)
- Oliver Dovin – Cruciate ligament injury (mid-January 2026)
- Jay Dasilva – Suspended (red card)
Lampard has indicated that the illness issues are easing, which should strengthen his matchday options.
Swansea City Form & Standout Players
Swansea City sit 19th in the table with around 26 points, maintaining a seven-point gap above the relegation zone. Under Vítor Matos, the Swans have shown signs of recovery, winning three of their last four matches, including a derby victory over Wrexham.
However, their away form remains a major concern, having failed to win any of their last six away games and losing the most recent four.
Swansea City Key Players
- Top Goalscorer: Žan Vipotnik (9 goals)
- Most Assists: Josh Tymon (3 assists)
- Most Suspensions: Josh Tymon (6)
- Most Minutes Played: Lawrence Vigouroux (1980’)
Vipotnik remains Swansea’s biggest attacking threat, while Vigouroux has been heavily relied upon between the posts.
Swansea City Injuries & Absentees
- Manuel Benson – Away on international duty
Head-to-Head Record
- Coventry won the most recent meeting 2–0, ending a 16-game winless run against Swansea
- Overall head-to-head is evenly balanced (13 wins apiece in 39 meetings)
- Coventry have dominated recent home meetings
- Recent fixtures at this venue often feature Over 2.5 Goals
Team News & Predicted Lineups
Coventry City (Manager: Frank Lampard) – 4-2-3-1
Predicted XI:
Carl Rushworth; Milan van Ewijk, Luke Woolfenden, Joel Latibeaudiere, Jake Bidwell; Victor Torp, Matt Grimes; Josh Eccles, Jack Rudoni, Ephron Mason-Clark; Haji Wright
Key Men:
- Haji Wright – Primary goal threat
- Ephron Mason-Clark – Excellent recent form
- Jack Rudoni – Creative spark
Swansea City (Manager: Vítor Matos) – 4-2-3-1
Predicted XI:
Lawrence Vigouroux; Josh Key (or Ethan Galbraith), Ben Cabango, Cameron Burgess, Josh Tymon; Gonçalo Franco, Marko Stamenic; Ronald, Melker Widell, Ji-sung Eom; Žan Vipotnik
Key Men:
- Žan Vipotnik – Main scoring outlet (9 goals)
- Lawrence Vigouroux – Among the league’s busiest goalkeepers
Final Verdict:
Coventry City 3–1 Swansea City or Coventry City 2–1 Swansea City
Best Betting Angles:
- Coventry City to Win
- Over 2.5 Goals
- Both Teams to Score (Yes)
Expect Coventry to reassert their dominance in front of a festive home crowd and keep their Championship title charge firmly on track.