Coventry versus The Tractor Boys, The Foxes v Derby, and Additional Football League Updates
Greetings for the full night of EFL as well as international soccer action. Our focus includes important Championship matches plus those pivotal last group matches in this Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
Introduction
Greetings to all. You are welcome to the checks writing desk rota the second-to-last soccer live blog of the year. There’s a full Football League schedule, starting with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 6pm, while we will also monitor at least a third of an eye on both evening fixtures from the first group at the Afcon: Morocco hosting Zambia and Mali facing Comoros.
We'll be focussing on the following fixtures, with 19:45 kick-offs unless stated.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- Comoros versus Mali (7pm)
- The Copper Bullets versus Morocco (19:00)
Second Division Matches
- The Sky Blues versus The Tractor Boys (18:00)
- Leicester versus The Rams
- Middlesbrough versus The Tigers
- Millwall v The Robins
- The Red Dragons v Preston
League One
- Cardiff versus Stevenage
Recent Lineup Updates
Ipswich at Coventry Confirmed Lineups
The early game, featuring the sides sitting top and third in the Championship, could be a thriller. These are the confirmed lineups.
Coventry City (4-2-3-1) The goalkeeper; van Ewijk, the centre-back, the defender, the left-back; the midfielder, the captain; the winger, Rudoni, the forward; the striker.
Substitutes: Wilson, Allen, the forward, the defender, the full-back, the defender, Eccles, the youngster, Andrews.
Ipswich (4-2-3-1) Walton; the defender, the centre-half, the defender, the left-back; Matusiwa, the midfielder; the attacker, Nunez, Jack Clarke; Azon.
Substitutes: Palmer, the defender, the midfielder, the defender, Cajuste, Burns, McAteer, the attacker, Akpom.
Referee Anthony Backhouse (Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: First Group Scenarios
Look, it’s complicated. It always is when some but not all third-placed sides progress. This is the current state before tonight’s final set of matches.
- Morocco 4 points, +2 goal difference
- Mali 2 points, GD0 (with 2 goals for)
- The Copper Bullets 2 points, GD0 (goals scored 1)
- The Coelacanths 1pt, -2 goal difference
In short, Morocco is likely safe but will want to defeat Zambia to top the group. Zambia probably need at least a point versus the hosts. Comoros probably need to overcome Mali, who should advance if they get a draw.
Lotta ins, lotta outs, lotta what-have-yous.
Egypt's Match with Angola Update
The final act of the second group at the Africa Cup of Nations has coverage elsewhere. For those wishing to remain unaware, avoid following that coverage.
Championship Table 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 |
