The Sky Blues against The Tractor Boys, Leicester versus Derby, and More Football League Updates
Greetings to the full night of EFL and international soccer action. We'll be covering major second-tier encounters and the pivotal final group games in this Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
Introduction
Oh, hi folks. Welcome to what is checks writing desk rota this penultimate football live blog of the year. There’s an extensive Football League programme, starting with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 18:00, while we’ll also be keeping a close watch on the two evening fixtures from the first group at the Afcon: Morocco hosting Zambia and Mali facing Comoros.
Our primary attention will be on the following fixtures, with 7.45pm start times except where noted.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- Comoros versus The Eagles (7pm)
- The Copper Bullets versus Morocco (7pm)
Championship
- The Sky Blues v Ipswich (6pm)
- Leicester v Derby
- Middlesbrough v The Tigers
- The Lions v Bristol City
- Wrexham v North End
League One
- Cardiff versus Stevenage
Latest Team News
Coventry v Ipswich Confirmed Lineups
The evening's opener, featuring the sides sitting first and third in the second tier, could be an exciting match. Here are the confirmed lineups.
Coventry (a 4-2-3-1 formation) Rushworth; the right-back, the centre-back, Kitching, Brau; the midfielder, the captain; Sakamoto, Rudoni, the forward; Wright.
Subs: Wilson, Allen, Simms, Kesler-Hayden, the full-back, the defender, Eccles, the youngster, the player.
Ipswich (4-2-3-1) The shot-stopper; the defender, O’Shea, the defender, Greaves; Matusiwa, Taylor; the attacker, the playmaker, Jack Clarke; the centre-forward.
Substitutes: The goalkeeper, Young, Johnson, Humphreys, the midfielder, Burns, the forward, the attacker, the striker.
Referee Anthony Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: Group A Permutations
The situation is complex. It always is when some but not all third-place sides progress. Here’s how things look before this evening's last set of matches.
- Morocco 4pts, +2 goal difference
- Mali 2pts, 0 goal difference (with 2 goals for)
- The Copper Bullets 2pts, GD0 (goals scored 1)
- The Coelacanths 1pt, GD-2
To summarize, Morocco is likely safe but will want to defeat their opponents to win their pool. Zambia likely requires a draw or better against the hosts. Comoros likely must to beat Mali, who should advance if they get a draw.
Many possibilities, various outcomes, plenty of scenarios.
Angola v Egypt Update
The conclusion of Group B at this continental championship has coverage elsewhere. To avoid spoilers, it's best not to seek out that information.
Second Tier 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 |
