Why Frank Lampard may be dreading Norwich City on Saturday - Coventry City need to buck trend | OneFootball

Coventry City will hope history doesnt repeat itself in their Norwich City clash

Coventry City have put the heartbreak of their failed play-off campaign behind them to kick off the 2025/26 season in fine fashion.

Frank Lampard’s side have eight points on the board at the first international break, having enjoyed handsome victories over Derby County (5-3) and QPR (7-1) so far.

The Sky Blues didn’t commence too much transfer activity when compared to some of their Championship rivals but put a focus on adding quality over quantity to their ranks.

Kaine Kesler-Hayden, Carl Rushworth and Luke Woolfenden will all provide sufficient depth for Coventry this season, having been added into a mix of operators including Milan van Ewijk, Matt Grimes and Haji Wright.

Lampard and Co. know what task lies ahead of them this term. The past few years have seen Coventry edge closer and closer towards a return to the Premier League, with just a penalty shoot-out denying them that feat in 2023.

They were seconds away from taking their play-off semi-final against Sunderland to penalties last year, before a Dan Ballard header broke their hearts at the death.

Next up for Coventry is a home clash against Norwich City, who are another side have ambitions of reclaiming their place in English football's top-flight.

The Sky Blues will feel confident heading into the fixture but will know that these are the games they will have to win if they want to be in the promotion-paying positions come May.

However, achieving victory over the Canaries may not be straightforward.

Coventry City will hope to break their Norwich City duck

Supporters will be full of enthusiasm when Championship football returns after the international break, desperate to see their team play again after what will feel like an eternity away.

However, Coventry fans may feel less excited when they see that they are facing Norwich City.

The Sky Blues have lost 11 of their last 14 games against the Carrow Road outfit; a harrowing record that will naturally sap optimism out of the CBS Arena.

In fact, Coventry haven’t beaten Norwich City since 2009, so the signs don’t bode well for them when the two sides meet on Saturday, September 13.

Lampard could use this pitiful run of form to motivate his team, spurring them on to be the side that breaks the duck and finally bests the Canaries.

The Chelsea legend repeated a similar feat last term, as he guided Coventry to their first win over Preston North End in 18 years.

Therefore, they will be hoping that the new-look Sky Blues side have a knack for getting the best of their previously stubborn Championship rivals.

Coventry City will fancy their chances against Norwich City

Despite their shocking form against Norwich City in the past, Lampard’s Coventry side will feel confident heading into their clash against the Canaries.

The Sky Blues have scored goals for fun this season and if they tighten up their defence, they will be a match for any team across the division.

Norwich have recorded wins over Portsmouth and Blackburn Rovers thus far, with Josh Sargent scoring five of their six league goals to top the division’s scoring charts.

This reliance on the striker could come back to bite them, however. If Coventry can keep the USMNT star quiet and operate in their usual lethal attacking style, they could be too much for Liam Manning’s side to handle.