We are just six games into the Championship season, and Coventry have already accumulated a total of 15 goals, which is the highest in the league. Although that has come from 10.9 xG, highlighting a significant overperformance, no side has accrued more xG than the Sky Blues in the English second division so far. They have earned their unbeaten record after six matches, and will look to extend that run at home this weekend.

But Birmingham have also started brightly, and currently sit level on points with Coventry - both sides look equally matched, which should set us up for an entertaining game. The Blues racked up 84 goals in League One last season - although they haven’t been particularly prolific so far, scoring just five goals from their six league matches, they certainly have the quality up front to punish this Coventry backline, who have kept just two clean sheets this term.

Following a brief stint at Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq, Demarai Gray completed a free transfer to Birmingham City over the summer, re-joining the club after departing nine years ago. The 29-year-old brings invaluable Championship experience and was a marquee signing for the Blues.

Gray has looked confident on his arrival back to English football and has registered more shots than any other Birmingham City player this season. Although he hasn’t been particularly accurate and is yet to hit the back of the net from seven starts, the Jamaican international certainly hasn’t been shy to pull the trigger, and has landed this bet in five out of seven matches this season.

Most of his attempts at goal come in quite similar circumstances, as Gray tends to cut inside from the left wing onto his stronger right foot. Half of his shots have come from outside the box, while Gray has also registered two efforts from free-kick situations.

Despite playing in a defensive midfield role, Victor Torp already has four Championship goals to his name this season, which is almost as many as Birmingham City have registered as a team. The Danish international is given plenty of license to get forward, with his midfield partner Matt Grimes typically sitting deeper.

Torp has incredible ball-striking ability, so often looks to try his luck from distance. In fact, 13 of his 17 efforts in the Championship so far have come from outside the box. He scored a brace against QPR earlier in the campaign, registering a total of six attempts - five of which were from outside the box.

Torp always looks to pick up promising shooting positions, which makes him a target here against Birmingham - he is averaging 2.96 shots per 90 this season, the third-highest in the Sky Blues’ squad.

Given how Coventry play quite an open and expansive style of football under Frank Lampard, the centre-backs can sometimes find themselves exposed in one-on-one situations against opposition forwards. Liam Kitching has committed a foul in all six league games so far this season, and already has two bookings to his name. Even last season, Kitching had an average of 0.97 fouls per 90, highlighting his aggressive approach to reclaiming possession.

Birmingham drew the third-most infringements in League One last season, which is understandable given how dominant they were. But they have been able to maintain that record following their promotion, averaging 14.3 fouls drawn per game this season, which is the highest in the league. It is an excellent matchup for Kitching to extend his fouling streak, as Coventry aim to keep their unbeaten run intact on home turf.

With 12 league goals to his name last season, Haji Wright played a pivotal role in the Coventry squad as his side secured a sixth-place finish. He was the top scorer for the Sky Blues, despite only starting 21 league games, which highlights how efficient he was in the final third. With his injury issues seemingly put behind him, the American international has been in flying form to kick off the new campaign, and he has already racked up five league goals.

Considering he also scored in the EFL Cup against Millwall in a 21-minute cameo off the bench, Wright has scored six goals in his last six appearances. His form coming into this clash could not be better, and he will hope to build even more momentum against a Birmingham City side who have lost three of their last four matches in all competitions.

Haji Wright may have stolen the headlines in recent weeks for his goal-scoring exploits, but Jack Rudoni has flown under the radar, and has once again been instrumental in an advanced midfield position. Last season, he registered the most goal involvements in the Coventry squad, with nine goals and 12 assists under his belt.

This season, he has two goals and an assist to his name, with both of those goals coming against QPR in a 7-1 thrashing. Rudoni does seem to play with a lot more confidence on home turf, as he is averaging 4.67 shots per 90 this term, registering at least four attempts in all three Championship matches.

Even last season, he had an average of 2.27 shots per 90 at home, compared to just 1.6 shots per 90 on the road, with six of his nine goals coming at the Coventry Building Society Arena.

Bobby Thomas had an average of 0.63 fouls per 90 in the Championship last season, which in itself is nothing to write home about, but the centre back has seen a notable uptick in infringements this campaign. The 24-year-old has committed a total of 11 fouls in eight starts in all competitions, averaging 1.57 fouls per 90.

He started 37 matches at centre back last season, and picked up just four yellow cards. This season, he already has three bookings to his name, despite having only started six games. Thomas has shown an increased willingness to duel, making this price really stand out.

The English international has committed multiple fouls in three out of six Championship matches so far, and now gets to face a Birmingham side who have drawn the most infringements of any side in the English second division this term.