Coventry against The Tractor Boys, Leicester v Derby, along with More Football Action Previews
Welcome for a packed evening of EFL as well as international soccer action. Our focus includes important Championship clashes and the pivotal final pool games in this Africa Cup of Nations competition.
Opening Notes
Hello everyone. You are welcome to what is checks writing desk rota this second-to-last football live blog of the year. There’s a full Football League slate, starting with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 18:00, while we’ll also be keeping at least a third of an eye on both evening games from the first group at the Afcon: Zambia against the hosts Morocco as well as Mali facing Comoros.
We'll be focussing on these matches, with 19:45 start times unless stated.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- Comoros v Mali (19:00)
- Zambia versus The Atlas Lions (19:00)
Second Division Matches
- The Sky Blues v Ipswich (6pm)
- Leicester versus Derby
- Boro v The Tigers
- The Lions v Bristol City
- Wrexham versus Preston
League One
- Cardiff versus Boro
Latest Lineup Updates
Ipswich at Coventry Team News
The evening's opener, between the teams who are first and third in the Championship, could be a cracker. These are the confirmed lineups.
Coventry (a 4-2-3-1 formation) Rushworth; the right-back, the centre-back, the defender, the left-back; Torp, the captain; Sakamoto, the attacking midfielder, Mason-Clark; the striker.
Substitutes: The backup keeper, the midfielder, Simms, Kesler-Hayden, Bidwell, Latibeaudiere, Eccles, the youngster, Andrews.
Ipswich Town (4-2-3-1) Walton; the defender, the centre-half, Kipre, Greaves; the midfielder, the midfielder; the attacker, Nunez, the winger; Azon.
Substitutes: The goalkeeper, Young, the midfielder, the defender, Cajuste, Burns, McAteer, the attacker, the striker.
The official Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: First Group Scenarios
The situation is complex. It always is when some but not all third-placed teams progress. This is the current state ahead of this evening's last set of games.
- Morocco 4pts, +2 goal difference
- The Eagles 2 points, GD0 (goals scored 2)
- Zambia 2pts, 0 goal difference (with 1 goal for)
- The Coelacanths 1 point, GD-2
Briefly, Morocco are probably fine though they will aim to beat Zambia and top the group. Zambia probably need at least a point versus Morocco. The island nation likely need to beat their rivals, who should advance if they get a draw.
Lotta ins, lotta outs, lotta what-have-yous.
Egypt's Match with Angola Update
The conclusion of the second group at this continental championship is being covered. For those wishing to remain unaware, don’t click the link.
Championship Standings Snapshot
| 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 |
