Richard Keys makes Coventry City Premier League prediction

Richard Keys insists he’d love to see Coventry City back in the Premier League but admits they’d “struggle” to survive if they do hit the top flight jackpot in the Championship play-off final at Wembley Stadium this weekend.

The Coventry-born, life-long Sky Blues fan and beIN Sports presenter believes whoever comes out on top in Saturday’s encounter with Luton Town will be worthy winners who have earned their return to the big time.

“This time next week….my team might be millionaires Rodney!” joked the 66-year-old broadcaster. “Equally, they could be licking their wounds having come up short in the Championship play-off final v Luton.

“It’s a kind of win - half win for me. Of course I’d love to see Coventry back in the big time, but I’ve already said that if we weren’t to make it I’d like it if Luton did.

“Both clubs have had a torrid time in recent years. Five years ago both were promoted from League 2. If Coventry get up they’ll be the first team relegated from the Premier League to have dropped to the bottom of the pyramid and claw their way back. Luton would be the first team to make it from non-league. Both have got an incredible story of survival to tell and be proud of.

“Sadly I won’t be at Wembley. I’ve got to stay in Qatar for the final day of the PL season. The travel just won’t work. But good luck to both teams and a big ‘thank you’ to Mark Robins and our magnificent fans for never giving up on the Super Sky Blues.”

Looking ahead at the prospect of a successful outcome, Keys said: “Just a couple of times I’ve allowed myself to think about how we’d get on in the top league. We’d struggle. We’d be ‘struggling’ Coventry. We’d be lucky to survive. I don’t think Luton would. It’s such a massive step up now.”

He added: “For only the fourth time in history all three promoted clubs have survived their first season back in the PL. That’s quite an achievement in itself. All three had different a different formula - Fulham had Mitrovic.

“Bournemouth dogged determination and Gary O’Neil. Forest had Steve Cooper, who had to work it out as he went. There was certainly no template to refer to for the madness he was dealt.

“Cooper deserves a medal. How on earth did he do it? Somehow he had to integrate 30 new signings on top of the regular problems that come with promotion from the C’ship. No wonder he looked to the heavens when the final whistle went v Arsenal.

“I said they’d struggle. They did. I said they’d struggle to win 10 games. They’ve won nine. I said their home form might just be what kept them up It was.”