After Coventry City moved one step closer toward the Championship title, CoventryLive takes a look at Frank Lampard’s side’s next six matches compared to their rivals

Jack Rudoni came off the bench and changed the game for Coventry City against Derby(Image: 2026 Getty Images)

Coventry City moved one step closer toward the Championship title with a vital victory over Derby County.

A meeting against Frank Lampard’s former side looked to be a potential stumbling block for the Sky Blues. The Rams have been threatening their own late Premier League promotion push, having put together four wins in their last five Championship matches.

Frank Onyeka quickly eased any Coventry nerves with his out-swinging effort in the 12th minute which gave Lampard’s side the lead, bringing the Coventry Building Society Arena to its feet. The mood was soured on the stroke of half time when Matt Clarke whipped a cross onto the head of Ben Brereton-Diaz, who headed past Carl Rushworth to level the game.

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The visitors nearly took the lead at half time when Jaydon Banel was played through by a slack pass from Onyeka, only for Carl Rushworth to make a fantastic, point-blank save. Lampard turned to his bench and introduced Ephron Mason-Clark, Haji Wright and Jack Rudoni from the bench and was paid back instantly with the latter turning in the Derby area and firing a brilliant low finish to give City the lead.

Controversy then struck as Rushworth was deemed to have brought down Brereton-Diaz in the box despite getting a touch on the ball, giving the Chile international the chance to level from the penalty spot, which he took.

However, the hosts were not going to be denied as Rudoni evaded the County defence to guide a wonderful low finish into the bottom corner. After the Sky Blues secured a priceless victory, Coventry Live has a look at Lampard’s men’s final Championship matches of the campaign, compared to their Premier League promotion rivals.

Coventry City’s final matches of the season

Hull City (A) – April 6

Sheffield Wednesday (H) – April 11

Blackburn Rovers (A) – April 17

Portsmouth (H) – April 21

Wrexham (H) – April 26

Watford (A) – May 2

Verdict: Eight points. That’s all Coventry need to wrap up their Premier League place – the sooner the Sky Blues can do that the better.

This is a difficult conclusion to the season for Lampard’s side. Hull City and Wrexham are both pushing for a play-off place, while Blackburn Rovers and Portsmouth are fighting for their lives in the race to beat the drop.

It goes without saying Lampard will be looking to secure the title before the home clash against Wrexham, who will be chasing yet another Hollywood ending to a season. Sheffield Wednesday at home and Blackburn Rovers are, on paper, two of the easier matches, and could be the games which secure the title.

A positive result against Hull City and back-to-back wins against Wednesday and Hull would be enough to wrap up promotion., unless results elsewhere mean Lamprd’s side can do so at home to Wednesday.

Millwall’s final matches of the season

Norwich (H) – April 6

West Brom (A) – April 11

QPR (H) – April 18

Stoke (A) – April 21

Leicester City (A) – April 25

Oxford United (H) – May 2

Verdict: Millwall will surely be salivating at their final run-in. Of course, victories cannot be assumed, but given none of those teams are higher than 10th and two of them, Leicester City and Oxford, may be relegated by the time the matches come round, Millwall will back themselves to, at least, take the second automatic promotion spot.

West Brom away could be difficult, with the Baggies recently drawing 2-2 at home with Wrexham, albeit James Morrison’s side did lead the game 2-0. Millwall have also won their last two games against Norwich and have not lost at home to them since the 2023 season.

Should Coventry drop any points, Alex Neil’s side would look to pounce. Given how promising their conclusion looks on paper, Lampard’s side cannot afford to be complacent.

Middlesbrough’s final matches of the season

Swansea City (A) – April 6

Portsmouth (H) – April 11

Ipswich Town (H) – April 19

Sheffield Wednesday (H) – April 22

Watford (A) – April 25

Wrexham (A) – May 2

Verdict: Middlesbrough are now up against it when it comes to sealing the automatic promotion places. Having lost three of their last four matches, including their crucial home clash against Millwall, they will be reeling.

To make matters worse, their next attempt of ending their winless run is an awkward away match against Swansea City. Portsmouth at home would then be a must win clash, as would their vital battle with Ipswich Town, who are also pushing for the automatic place.

Their final home match against Wednesday may prove to be the most important, particularly with two consecutive away clashes ending their campaign, including one against Wrexham at the Racecourse Ground.

Ipswich Town’s final matches of the season

Birmingham City (H) – April 6

Norwich City (A) – April 11

Portsmouth (A) – April 14

Middlesbrough (H) – April 19

Charlton Athletic (A) – April 22

West Bromwich Albion (A) – April 25

QPR (H) – May 2

Verdict: Out of the top four, Ipswich Town have the hardest run-in, mainly because of the sheer number of matches. Kieran McKenna’s side’s clashes against Portsmouth at Fratton Park, Middlesbrough at home and Charlton Athletic at the Valley all take place in eight days.

They will have their eye on chasing down Millwall more-so than Coventry, but if the Sky Blues stumble in any of their remaining fixtures, the Tractor Boys may be there to make life difficult.