Looking Into The Data And How Everton Can Hurt Coventry

It's been an interesting season for Coventry City. 

After a disastrous start to the campaign, they've started to turn things around a little. Frank Lampard's side have won three of their last five games in the Premier League, sitting in 16th position heading into the weekend. 

A win against Everton could see Coventry climb into the top half of the Premier League table, something their fans could only have dreamed of at the start of the campaign. 

So, have Coventry been decent? Well, the data doesn't look great for them. They've perhaps been fortunate to have picked up as many points as they have. 

We'll be looking at Coventry's data, and what that is going to mean for Everton. 

Coventry have created just 8.34 xG so far this season in the Premier League, the lowest of any side. Their non-penalty xG is even lower at 7.55, while 2.22 of their xG has come from set pieces.

That means they have immensely struggled to create from open play, and given Everton's decent defensive record, you'd back the Toffees not to concede too many chances.

They've also managed just 161 touches inside the opposition box, ranking them 19th in the league, while they've had just seven shot-ending high turnovers. 

Going forward, Coventry have struggled a lot. 

Defensively, Coventry are reasonably strong in comparison to their attacking output. They've conceded 13.69 xG. Lampard's side are good at defending their own box, with 56.25% of their goals conceded coming from inside the penalty area, with only Arsenal having a lower percentage. 

Coventry have also conceded just 1.61 xG from set-pieces this season, only bettered by Liverpool in the Premier League.

Given their low possession, strong box defending, and lack of chances created, Coventry setup to allow the opposition to have the ball. They do everything they can to protect their box, and they rarely look to go hunting the ball to win it back.

Coventry allow the opposition to make 20.2 passes per defensive action made, the lowest in the Premier League by some distance. 

This is going to be an interesting game for Everton. They don't often have more of the ball, and often struggle when they are forced to do so. 

This is going to be a game where you need your best creators on the pitch. You need players who are capable of breaking down low blocks and creating combinations in and around the penalty area.

Lumping crosses into the box is going to be exactly what Coventry want. Players like Tyler Dibling and Hayden Hackney could be hugely beneficial. Little one-twos, creating overloads in wide areas, cutbacks to the edge of the box. 

Getting to the byline and pulling the ball back to the edge is going to be a smart way of trying to score against Coventry. Lampard struggles to organise a midfield, so third-man runners from deep could be crucial. 

Carl Rushworth has been statistically the worst goalkeeper this season in terms of goals prevented, while he's conceded an abnormal number of long shots. Shooting from range would also be smart, especially with Thierno Barry always looking to get on the end of rebounds. 

Jack Rudoni is one threat for Coventry. James Garner sitting as the deepest midfielder to stick with him will be important. 

In reality, this should be a victory for Everton, and hopefully, a convincing one.