Steffen Freund took over press conference duties ahead of tomorrow’s FA Cup clash but the German wasn’t giving too much away when it came to team news. Freund simply confirmed that Benoit Assou-Ekotto was in contention for a slot while Younes Kaboul faced a further period on the sidelines.

“Benoit is fit and training well,” Steffen said. “He’s getting closer.

“Younes is a longer-term injury, but he’s doing well, he’s running and working with the fitness coaches.”

A squad that’s nearing full fitness does give Andre Villas-Boas the chance for some rotation and we could well see Scott Parker and Clint Dempsey return to the starting line up in midfield. Gareth Bale is available again after suspension and with an extended break until the QPR game on Monday the 14th it seems likely that Gareth will start the match.

Further back, Brad Friedel should take over from Hugo Lloris in goal and AVB may well shuffle the pack in defence with BAE, Walker, Naughton, Caulker, Gallas, Dawson and Vertonghen set to battle for four places.

Villas-Boas also has the option to use Carroll and Falque in midfield but the pair may have to settle for a slot on the bench along with Jake Livermore, who is another option for the starting XI.

This is our prediction but what’s your view?

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33 COMMENTS

  2. For me it would be
    Brad
    Naughton – Daws – Caulker – BAE
    Azza – Parker – Siggy – Bale
    Ade – Dempsey

    Once we are on top Livermore, Carrol & Townsend to come on

  4. Agree with both those above but lets not weaken it because of the magic of the FA cup and Coventry deserve to play against our top players

  5. i would like to see both dempsey and sigurdsson given a start, whilst perhaps resting adebayor or maybe even defoe (although we might have problems scoring if we do this…we can’t underestimate coventry) It’s also an opportunity to rest lennon, who has played many consecutive games in which he’s worked very hard. my team would be:

    friedel, naughton, dawson, caulker, BAE, townsend, parker, siggurdson, bale, dempsey, defoe

  6. I wouldn’t play Lennon, Defoe, or Caulker.

    BRAD
    Naughton, DAWSON, GALLAS, BAE

    FALQUE / TOWNSEND, PARKER CARROLL, BALE

    ADEBAYOR DEMPSEY / GYLFI

  9. ——————–Friedel———————-

    Naughton——-Dawson—–Caulker——–BEA

    Falque———Parker—–Huddlestone—-Dempsey

    ———————-Siggurdson—————-

    ———————-Adebeyour—————–

  10. Back 5 spot on, I cant see dempsey playin central in a 4 4 2 though..

    Friedel
    Naughton Dawson Caulker Benny
    Lennon Parker Carroll Bale
    Dempsey
    Adeyabor

    I would actually choose siggi over dempsey but feel we could see this team, i would personally give townsend or falque a 30 min run out(or a whole half if the game is wrapped up at half time)

  11. Friedel
    Naughton Dawson Caulker BAE
    Parker Carroll
    Falque Siggy Townsend
    Adebayor
    Bench: lloris, galas, sandro, bale, Lennon, walker, Defoe

    Solid win on the cards!

  12. i expect townsend beeing given a start today in place of bale. Parker along with caroll with sig infront of them.
    Dempsey right and adebayor alone up top

  13. I think your team is pretty spot on, but Defoe needs a rest and I would leave Bale out, as he could do with another games rest as well, probably bring Falque and Siggi in

  15. You put Dempsey in midfield again… yet AVB never does.
    Defoe is a must for this game. He should destroy lower division defences. Put Siggy behind. Rest Sandro, Vertonghen, Dembele.

    Friedel
    Naughton Caulker Dawson BAE
    Parker Hudd
    Lennon Siggy Bale
    Defoe

    If game is won early, then haul off Lennon, Defoe, Hudd and bring on Dempsey, Carroll, Falque or Townsend etc…

  20. lennon must be rested, he is prone to injury ( hamstring and groin ) and has been playing virtually every game.I like Lillywhitemike’s team, but Ade to start before Degoe.

  23. Friedel; Naughton, Caulker, Dawson, Assou-Ekotto; Townsend, Parker, Sigurdsson, Bale; Dempsey; Adebayor.

    Friedel, Naughton, Dawson, Townsend and Sigurdsson could all be doing with some time out on the pitch. I’d also rather bench Lloris, Walker, Vertonghen, Dembele, Sandro, Lennon and Defoe for fear of injuries.

  25. Or Maybe go with strength
    Lloris

    Walker – Kaboul – Vertonghen – Benny
    Moltby Erikson
    Lennon Zaha Bale
    Huntelaar

    Bench: Freidel-Defoe-Moutinho-M-Vila-Dawson-Dempsey-Sissoko

  27. Friedal, naughton Dawson caulker BAE, townsend parker siggurdson bale, dempsey ADE subs Stewart gallas huddlestone Carroll pritchard defoe lloris.

  29. Let’s not forget Coventry are still a League 1 side and we’re at home. We’ve just had a congested schedule and should use this as an oppurtunity to rest players.

    I would play:
    Friedel
    Naughton Dawson Caulker BAE
    Parker Livermore
    Townsend Falque
    Siggurdson
    Adebayor

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