Micky Adams takes his Coventry side back to face one of his former clubs Brighton this weekend as the Championship rivals take a break from league action and battle it out in the FA Cup instead.
The draw was something of a booby prize for the Sky Blues, giving them a tough game but without any of the financial reward of last season’s 4th Round trip to Newcastle.
City should go to the Withdean Stadium in confident mood however following the excellent 2-0 win over Wolves, and may be able to give the cup greater priority than their opponents, who currently occupy a relegation place in the Championship.
Both sides though will be aware that winning through to the last 32 gives them a chance of drawing one of the Premiership’s big guns.
For Coventry, that could mean a home tie at the Ricoh Arena and a potential gate of 30,000 for the first time in the new stadium.
The delays in opening the Ricoh at the start of the current season, not only cost the club financially. They also robbed the fans of a chance to get to know the stadium properly and settle in to it with a prestige friendly fixture.
That may come next summer, but in the meantime, a glamorous FA Cup tie against a Premiership side would act as perhaps the real opening of the Ricoh Arena.
All that is conjecture though. City have drawn on all three visits to the Withdean Stadium and although Brighton had a disappointing festive period of results, they remain a side capable of beating anyone else in the Championship on their day.
The bookies certainly foresee a close game. Brighton are a best-price of 11/8 to win the game, Coventry 15/8 with a draw 9/4.
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