COVENTRY are set for a mouthwatering clash with Luton in the Championship play-off final at Wembley TODAY.
Both clubs were in League Two in the 2017/18 season and Luton were remarkably a non-league club just a decade ago.
But now they find themselves in football's richest game – said to be worth around £200m in future revenues to the winners – as they prepare to battle it out for a place in next season's Premier League.
- Kick off time: 4:45pm BST
- TV channel: Sky Sports Main Event/ Sky Sports Football
- Live stream: NOW
- Coventry XI: Wilson, Bidwell, Doyle, McFadzean, McNally, Norton-Cuffy, Sheaf, Kelly, Hamer, Allen, Gyokeres
- Luton XI: Hovarth, Drameh, Osho, Lockyer, Bell, Doughty, Ruddock, Nakamba, Clark, Morris, Adebayo
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- By Sam Dymond
Cov's fond memories of Wembley
Coventry City fans arrive at the national stadium this afternoon, knowing just what it takes to win a Wembley final.
The Sky Blues have won three of the four matches played at Wembley in their history, most famously when lifting the 1987 FA Cup after beating Tottenham. Keith Houchen's diving header in the 3-2 win is etched in football folklore.
Coventry also tasted victory when beating Oxford 2-1 in the 2017 EFL Trophy final, and then again in the 2018 League Two play-off final against Exeter.
Their only defeat at the stadium came against Everton in the 1987 Charity Shield.
- By Sam Dymond
The Luton Town starting XI
Luton (3-5-2): 34 Horvath; 32 Osho, 4 Lockyer, 29 Bell; 2 Drameh, 18 Clark, 13 Nakamba, 17 Mpanzu, 45 Doughty; 9 Morris, 11 Adebayo
Subs: 1 Shea, 3 Potts, 8 Berry, 16 Burke, 22 Campbell, 23 Onyedinma, 25 Taylor
- By Sam Dymond
Robins names his Coventry team
Coventry (3-5-1-1): 13 Wilson; 16 McNally, 5 McFadzean, 3 Doyle; 7 Norton-Cuffy, 6 Kelly, 14 Sheaf, 38 Hamer, 27 Bidwell; 8 Allen; 17 Gyokeres
Subs: 1 Moore, 2 Panzo, 11 Wilson-Esbrand, 23 Dabo, 24 Godden, 28 Eccles, 45 Palmer
- By Sam Dymond
Luton lack play-off know-how
Luton have made a habit of defying the odds over the past decade, but now they will have to make further history in order to complete their rise back to the top-flight.
Today marks the club's first ever appearance in a Football League play-off final – on the back of their first ever victory in an EFL play-off game, the 2-0 win over Sunderland in the second leg of the semi-final 11 days ago.
The Hatters did feature in two play-off finals while languishing in non-league, but neither ended in glory.
Luton failing to win promotion back to the Football League in both 2011 when they lost on penalties to AFC Wimbledon, and in 2012 after being beaten 2-1 by York.
- By Sam Dymond
Hatters smart on head-to-head
Despite the two draws this term, Luton are very much in the ascendancy when it comes to recent meetings with Coventry.
In fact, the Hatters are unbeaten in their last nine games against the Sky Blues, winning four.
The West Midlands outfit last got the better of their Bedfordshire counterparts with a 3-0 away victory in October 2017 when the two clubs were stranded in League Two.
- By Sam Dymond
Upward clubs quick on draw
There was nothing between Coventry and Luton in their two Championship meetings this season with each game ending level.
However, in both meetings, the Bedfordshire club struck early.
Back in September under the guidance of Nathan Jones they led through Carlton Morris' 4th-minute goal. The striker struck again on the quarter of an hour mark, but on both occasions the Sky Blues struck back to equalise through Viktor Gyokeres and Gustavo Hamer.
It took just 40-seconds for Luton to lead in February's return when Tom Lockyer tapped in. Matt Gooden was the man who rescued Cov on this occasion with a penalty on the stroke of half-time before Josh Wilson-Esbrand was sent off late on.
- Coventry 1-1 Luton (Feb 11)
- Luton 2-2 Coventry (Sept 14)
Hatters faves to reach promised land
The pundits are split on which of these two clubs will join the elite in the Premier League next season, but the bookies are siding with Luton Town – just.
Rob Edwards' Hatters are favourites to win promotion although they can be backed at odds against to seal the deal within 90 minutes.
90 minute betting:
- Coventry win 12/5
- Draw 15/8
- Luton win 7/5
To win promotion:
- Coventry to win promotion 11/10
- Luton to win promotion 8/11
Odds from Betfair correct at time of post publication.
Good afternoon from Wembley Stadium
Welcome to live SunSport coverage of the Champions play-off final between Coventry City and Luton Town.
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