Coventry City moved to within eight points of the Premier League following their victory over Derby County, with promotion potentially clinched next week if they win two matches.
The Sky Blues are on the brink of securing a place in the top flight after defeating Derby County in a five-goal thriller on Friday night, with Frank Onyeka’s unusual goal and a double from Jack Rudoni securing the victory under the floodlights at the CBS Arena.
Frank Lampard’s team had to dig deep to claim all three points. Onyeka’s unconventional cross-shot gave Coventry the lead before Ben Brereton-Diaz equalized. Rudoni, who had just returned to the action, scored from the bench, but the Derby player leveled the scores again via a disputed penalty.
However, Rudoni came up with another crucial moment shortly after, finishing clinically from a Milan van Ewijk delivery. Coventry held firm for the rest of the match to earn another significant victory, extending their advantage over third-placed Middlesbrough to 12 points.
The Premier League is now within touching distance for Lampard’s squad, though there remains work to do. Here is precisely when the club could confirm their promotion.
The earliest date promotion could be secured
Following the win over Derby, Coventry have accumulated 83 points at the summit, meaning promotion could theoretically be guaranteed in their home fixture against Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday, April 11.
For this highly improbable situation to unfold, the Sky Blues would need to defeat Hull on Easter Monday. Additionally, both Ipswich and Middlesbrough must lose their next two matches, with Millwall now occupying second place after their victory over Middlesbrough on Good Friday.
Coventry could reach a maximum of 89 points after those two fixtures, while Middlesbrough and Ipswich would remain on 71 and 69 points respectively after losing their matches. This scenario would render Coventry’s total unattainable for either side, despite Ipswich holding two games in hand.
Ipswich were scheduled to meet Southampton, but the latter’s involvement in the FA Cup quarter-finals has postponed that fixture until late April. Furthermore, the gap would become insurmountable should they lose to Birmingham and Norwich in the coming week while Coventry wins both their matches.
Alternatively, either Middlesbrough or Ipswich gaining just one point could suffice, provided Coventry defeats Hull and Wednesday, leaving their two rivals 17 or 19 points adrift.
Alternative promotion possibilities
Although promotion from the Championship could be achieved in just over a week, one of Middlesbrough or Ipswich winning any of their upcoming matches would prevent this.
The wait would then extend to the following Friday when they travel to face Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park. Lampard and his squad could even know their requirements for that encounter, as Ipswich play one of their games in hand a few days earlier.
Ipswich defeating Portsmouth after beating either Birmingham or local rivals Norwich would guarantee Coventry an automatic promotion spot, assuming Coventry wins all of their remaining three matches.
Despite the gap between Coventry and those below them, they require only eight points from their final 18 available, with Ipswich able to reach a maximum of 93 points.
Second-placed Millwall can only total 90 points if they win all their remaining fixtures, meaning two wins and two draws or three victories would suffice for Coventry.
Should goal difference become decisive—and City will be hoping it does not reach that point—their superior tally of +42 compared to Millwall’s +10, Middlesbrough’s +21, and Ipswich’s +28 effectively functions as an additional point at this late stage of the season.