Coventry are a team that loves a cup run, as showcased by their FA Cup charge all the way to the semi-finals last season, but the reality is that this is a more important game for Tottenham in the grand scheme of things. It could be argued those cup exploits proved a distraction for City, considering they failed to reach the play-offs, which was their season goal. Spurs fit into the category of many top-flight clubs that ‘needs a trophy’. They last won a domestic competition in 2008, which ironically was the League Cup. Manager Ange Postecoglou was also criticised last season when making nine changes in this cup when losing to Fulham, he may not make the same mistake again, although a few alterations are still anticipated.

Tottenham do have a hectic schedule coming up given their UEFA Europa League group phase will begin soon, but their first clash is at home to quite a weak Qarabag on Thursday, which is a game they can realistic rotate in without having too many concerns, so they may decide to go quite strong at Coventry. As for the Sky Blues, they’ll rotate as well given they have quite a big squad at their disposal this season. It could lead to more of a disjointed display than if at full strength. Mark Robins’ side are on a decent run of only one loss in their last six in all competitions, but Spurs will be their sternest test for some time. The Premier League side also just suffered defeat to arch rivals Arsenal, so the team need no bigger motivation to bounce back and get the fans back on side.

Teams often rotate and make changes in this tournament, particularly around this stage considering the hectic schedules they are involved in with other priorities. When that is the case, it can lead to more mistakes occurring, which naturally increases the chances of goals. Coventry won’t be turning up to make up the numbers and will relish this test against a stronger opponent from the league above, plus Tottenham are an all-out attacking team, meaning they tend to be involved in open contests.

The Championship club are also no strangers in creating chances, especially this season. They are within their league top-six based upon xGF and they certainly won’t be changing their approach too much despite facing a supposed superior opponent. Robins’ men have only kept two clean sheets so far this season in any competition, it just so happens both were achieved in each of their last two League Cup fixtures, when edging out 1-0 victories over Bristol City and Oxford United respectively. Also, they changed formation for the first time this season in their previous match at Watford, and having some uncertainty over system isn’t ideal, meaning they could be a little unpredictable.

Tottenham have only kept the one clean sheet this season, which isn’t a huge shock given their offensive nature often leads to more than a few risks at the back. This is not necessarily just through building from the goalkeeper in possession, but they will commit bodies forward and be really open to counter attacks, and that will give Coventry plenty of hope. Also, only Luton saw more Premier League games last season feature both teams scoring compared to Spurs.

Darren England is the lucky man that has been assigned to officiate this League Cup contest on Wednesday night. He has had something of an interesting set of fixtures this season, which began by taking charge of four games in the Japanese J1 League. During this run, he would average 3.00 cards per match, but his last two games have been more eventful. He issued a red card in a UEFA Champions League qualification clash between Celje and Slovan Bratislava, and a few weeks ago he dished out five yellow cards in the Wolves v Chelsea Premier League meeting. He is averaging 3.50 cards per game, so keeping to that average means the same should happen in this League Cup encounter at the very least.

Furthermore, Coventry are averaging 1.86 cards per game in all competitions this summer, so they are likely to contribute to the card count. There could be an eagerness to impress in a televised clash, even more so when facing a strong Premier League team, so emotions may potentially boil over at some point. Also, Tottenham are averaging 2.50 yellow cards per Premier League fixture so far in 2024/25, including receiving five in the Arsenal game on Sunday. There is more of a desperation on their side to reach the next round and keep the cup dream alive, so they too should keep the card count ticking over, especially as Coventry will put them under periods of pressure.

Considering the likely amount of attacking talent on show, it would appear quite unlikely for this to be goalless at half time. The only reasons it potentially could be is down to bad finishing/inspired goalkeeping, but also Coventry really frustrating Tottenham by getting men behind the ball. Even though Mark Robins will likely do this when Spurs are in possession, the Sky Blues will look to counter attack and it won’t be a pure ‘parking the bus’ approach. They will sense some vulnerability in the Tottenham back line that they can possibly expose. There is also the very obvious chance of Ange Postecoglou’s talented group finding a way through and laying down an early marker with a quick goal.

Spurs just suffered defeat to their big rivals and there will be a feeling within the team of a real desire to start this match strongly. That is the best way for them to put that setback behind them. Even so, three of their Premier League contests so far have featured a first-half goal within them. Regards Coventry, over the course of their previous four Championship encounters, a total of five first-half goals were present, including three in the opening 25 minutes.

Tottenham may not sit top of the actual Premier League table but one thing they have excelled in is ball retention all season. They are at the summit of the average ball possession category in the English top-flight. Therefore, it is highly likely that they will dominate the ball once more when travelling to the Coventry Building Society Arena on Wednesday evening. Expect Spurs to be in control and dictate play for long spells. Therefore, Coventry will have to be compact, meaning Tottenham will have to penetrate the wide areas to find space, which opens the door for the possibility of corners for the away side.

The statistics also back this up as Postecoglou’s side have earned the most corners in the Premier League this season with 44; meaning they’re the only team to have achieved over 40 out of all 20 clubs at that level. This translates as an average of 11.00 per game in 2024/25, so they really should be gaining a minimum of six over a team from the league below with relative ease, assuming they play to their usual potential. In addition, Coventry have also seen their opponents in Championship action claim an average of 5.40 corners per match, so only an additional corner compared to that would be required if normal form played out, but they won’t have been second-best in possession as much as they will do for this midweek cup fixture.

Ben Sheaf is the Coventry captain and one of the best players in this league, according to manager Mark Robins, but he has been injury prone this season and remains a huge doubt to be involved here. His absence has meant increased game time for Josh Eccles as the holding midfielder in the starting eleven, and a tough night against a free-flowing Premier League opponent awaits him. Eccles tops the City charts in Championship action for number of tackles won, which provides a flavour that indicates his role in the team.

Given he and his team are set to spend spells out of possession with Spurs playing in front of him, discipline is key, but knowing the quality Tottenham have at their disposal, they will look to play their way through. This in turn means Eccles will only need to be a fraction of a second off to start committing fouls and potentially picking up a yellow card.

Wednesday’s visiting club are ranked within the top-half of the Premier League in relation to number of fouls committed on them. Therefore, they are no strangers in being fouled or basically buying a foul or two using their football intelligence. As mentioned, Coventry will be doing more defending than they’re used to in any Championship clash and so frustration will naturally come to the fore on occasions, even more so if they concede first and struggle to get back into the match.

Although the expected game plan and way this match should play out appears pretty set in stone, that doesn’t mean Coventry won’t get opportunities to attack. It is to be expected that Tottenham won’t be too successful in breaking down a rigid opponent sitting in a compact shape on all occasions. All it takes is a misplaced pass and City will get chances to charge forward, which will be what Spurs fear the most given the speed within the opposition offensive ranks.

The Sky Blues are no strangers to turning defence into attack very quickly and efficiently. They are also a threat in the wide areas given they will play with two forward-thinking full backs or wide backs, plus wide players that link up well with them to expose spaces down the flanks. After all, Robins’ side are ranked fourth in the Championship for average amount of corners with 6.73, so for them to gain at least three in a home game shouldn’t be asking for too much.

Something that will boost Coventry on the corner kick element is the fact they will be playing a team that has conceded an average of 5.00 corners per match this season. Given how Tottenham lost to Arsenal through scoring with a free header on a corner, it will please Mark Robins knowing his players could target a vulnerability in that respect.

Tottenham are a team that is used to scoring goals. That is ultimately why Ange Postecoglou was hired in the first place; to bring an identity to the club, which just happens to be playing an exciting, high tempo brand of offensive football. It isn’t necessarily one that will win any rewards from a defensive perspective, but they can be generally relied to score goals. Saying that, Arsenal did restrict them to a rare nil on Sunday, which will fuel the Spurs fire even further.

Although they are only averaging 1.50 goals this season, it is only from quite a small sample size of only four matches. There is every chance that in a few weeks’ time this figure should increase, especially as before the next international break they are facing the likes of Coventry, Qarabag, Brentford and Ferencvárosi, Spurs will fancy of netting a number of goals across that sequence of games.

Last season, only Manchester City and Liverpool failed to score in fewer English top-flight duels compared to Tottenham, which is all that is needed to be known to see how they look to play tactically. In the end, they would average 1.95 goals per league encounter in 2023/24, so at the very least they expect to achieve a similar amount this time around, perhaps even higher given they have a stronger depth of attacking players compared to then. Therefore, even if they do rotate for this cup clash, some high-quality forwards will still be on the pitch.