The bright lights of a Wembley FA Cup semi-final await for the winner of this all-Midlands affair between Premier League Wolverhampton Wanderers and the Championship’s Coventry City. With European qualification via the league still a very real possibility for Wolves, they face a tough balancing act for the rest of the season should they take the next step on the road to a first FA Cup triumph since 1959/60.
The omens are strong for Wolves to at least venture into the final four after a run of four victories across their last five competitive outings (W4, L1), including an FA Cup victory against fellow Premier League side, Brighton. In fact, two of Wolves’ three FA Cup wins on the way to this clash came against top-flight opponents, whilst their only clash against second-tier opposition ended in a routine 2-0 victory against another West Midlands side in West Brom.
Coventry are firmly in the hunt to join Wolves in the top-flight next season after back-to-back league wins kept them right in touch with the top-six, although this will be a real litmus test of their capabilities against such sides. Many will argue that Coventry were handed something of a bye in the previous round as they swept aside former Wolves player George Elokobi’s non-league Maidstone United by a 5-0 scoreline.
In truth, Coventry have had a relatively easy run, at least on paper, to what is their first quarter final appearance since 2009, defeating two lower-league opponents and Championship relegation battlers Sheffield Wednesday. Their last appearance at this stage ended in a 2-0 defeat to Premier League Chelsea, although supporters making the short journey to Wolverhampton will hope to see their side at least score as they have in their last 13 competitive away games.
Players to watch: Wolves midfielder Mario Lemina doesn’t often hang about when scoring, with four of his five scoring appearances this season seeing him net the team opener. A potential threat from midfield for Coventry is Callum O’Hare, who already has three goals in this year’s FA Cup and ten of his last 11 scoring appearances saw his side win on the day.
Hot stat: Coventry have scored at least three goals in four of their last five FA Cup outings.
