Coventry v Ipswich, The Foxes v Derby, and Additional Football Action Updates
Hello for the busy night of EFL and continental soccer fixtures. The spotlight falls on major Championship encounters plus the pivotal final pool matches in this Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
Introduction
Hello everyone. You are welcome to what is arguably this second-to-last football live blog of the year. We have an extensive EFL schedule, starting with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 6pm, while we will also monitor a close watch on the two evening fixtures from Group A at the Afcon: Zambia against the hosts Morocco as well as Mali facing Comoros.
Our primary attention will be on the following games, all 7.45pm start times unless stated.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- The Coelacanths versus Mali (19:00)
- The Copper Bullets versus The Atlas Lions (7pm)
Championship
- Coventry versus The Tractor Boys (18:00)
- Leicester versus Derby
- Boro v The Tigers
- Millwall v The Robins
- Wrexham versus North End
League One
- Cardiff v Boro
Recent Team News
Ipswich at Coventry Team News
The evening's opener, featuring the sides sitting first and third in the Championship, looks like a cracker. These are the confirmed lineups.
Coventry City (a 4-2-3-1 formation) Rushworth; van Ewijk, the centre-back, Kitching, the left-back; Torp, the captain; Sakamoto, Rudoni, the forward; Wright.
Subs: The backup keeper, the midfielder, Simms, the defender, Bidwell, the defender, Eccles, Perry, Andrews.
Ipswich (a 4-2-3-1 setup) Walton; Furlong, the centre-half, Kipre, the left-back; the midfielder, the midfielder; Walle, Nunez, the winger; the centre-forward.
Subs: The goalkeeper, the defender, the midfielder, the defender, Cajuste, Burns, McAteer, the attacker, Akpom.
Referee Anthony Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: Group A Scenarios
It's a tricky picture. It always is when some but not all third-place teams qualify. This is the current state ahead of tonight’s last round of matches.
- The Atlas Lions 4pts, +2 goal difference
- Mali 2 points, 0 goal difference (goals scored 2)
- Zambia 2 points, 0 goal difference (with 1 goal for)
- Comoros 1 point, GD-2
To summarize, Morocco is likely safe though they will aim to defeat Zambia and win their pool. Zambia likely requires at least a point against Morocco. Comoros likely need to overcome their rivals, who will probably be okay if they get a point.
A host of potential results and permutations.
Egypt's Match with Angola Update
The final act to the second group at this Africa Cup of Nations has coverage elsewhere. To avoid spoilers, it's best not to seek out that information.
Championship Table Overview
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coventry | 23 | 31 | 51 |
| 2 | Middlesbrough | 23 | 9 | 43 |
| 3 | Ipswich | 23 | 15 | 38 |
| 4 | Hull | 23 | 2 | 38 |
| 5 | Preston North End | 23 | 7 | 37 |
| 6 | Bristol City | 23 | 7 | 36 |
| 7 | Millwall | 23 | -6 | 36 |
| 8 | Watford | 23 | 4 | 35 |
| 9 | QPR | 23 | -2 | 35 |
| 10 | Stoke | 23 | 7 | 34 |
| 11 | Derby | 23 | 1 | 32 |
| 12 | Southampton | 23 | 4 | 31 |
| 13 | Wrexham | 23 | 2 | 31 |
| 14 | Leicester | 23 | -1 | 31 |
| 15 | Birmingham | 23 | 1 | 30 |
| 16 | West Brom | 23 | -5 | 28 |
| 17 | Charlton | 22 | -6 | 27 |
| 18 | Blackburn | 22 | -4 | 26 |
| 19 | Sheff Utd | 23 | -5 | 26 |
| 20 | Swansea | 23 | -7 | 26 |
| 21 | Oxford Utd | 23 | -8 | 22 |
| 22 | Portsmouth | 22 | -10 | 22 |
| 23 | Norwich | 23 | -9 | 21 |
| 24 | Sheff Wed | 22 | -27 | -8 |
