The Sky Blues versus The Tractor Boys, Leicester against Derby, along with More EFL Action Previews
Welcome for a packed night of Football League as well as international soccer action. The spotlight falls on major second-tier matches plus those crucial final pool matches in the Afcon tournament.
Opening Notes
Greetings to all. You are welcome to the arguably the second-to-last soccer clockwatch of the year. There’s a full EFL schedule, 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 fixtures from the first group at this Afcon: Morocco hosting Zambia and Comoros v Mali.
Our primary attention will be on the following matches, all 19:45 start times except where noted.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- The Coelacanths versus Mali (19:00)
- Zambia versus Morocco (19:00)
Championship
- Coventry versus Ipswich (18:00)
- Leicester versus The Rams
- Middlesbrough v Hull
- Millwall versus Bristol City
- The Red Dragons versus Preston
Third Tier Fixture
- Cardiff v Stevenage
Recent Lineup Updates
Ipswich at Coventry Team News
The evening's opener, between the teams who are first and third in the Championship, promises to be a cracker. Here are the starting elevens.
Coventry (a 4-2-3-1 formation) Rushworth; the right-back, Woolfenden, Kitching, the left-back; Torp, the captain; Sakamoto, Rudoni, the forward; the striker.
Subs: The backup keeper, the midfielder, the forward, Kesler-Hayden, the full-back, the defender, Eccles, Perry, the player.
Ipswich (a 4-2-3-1 setup) The shot-stopper; Furlong, the centre-half, Kipre, Greaves; the midfielder, the midfielder; Walle, Nunez, Jack Clarke; Azon.
Subs: The goalkeeper, Young, Johnson, the defender, Cajuste, Burns, McAteer, the attacker, Akpom.
Referee Anthony Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: Group A Scenarios
Look, it’s complicated. That's often the case when some but not all third-placed sides qualify. Here’s how things look before this evening's last set of games.
- Morocco 4pts, +2 goal difference
- The Eagles 2pts, GD0 (goals scored 2)
- Zambia 2 points, 0 goal difference (goals scored 1)
- Comoros 1 point, -2 goal difference
To summarize, Morocco are probably fine but will want to beat their opponents to top the group. Zambia likely requires a draw or better versus the hosts. The island nation likely must to overcome Mali, who should advance with a point.
Lotta ins, lotta outs, lotta what-have-yous.
Egypt's Match with Angola Update
The final act to Group B at the Africa Cup of Nations is being covered. For those wishing to remain unaware, avoid following that coverage.
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 |
