The Sky Blues versus The Tractor Boys, The Foxes v Derby, along with More EFL League Updates
Hello to the full night of EFL and international football fixtures. Our focus includes important second-tier matches and the crucial final group games in this Afcon competition.
Opening Notes
Hello everyone. You are welcome to what is arguably this penultimate football clockwatch of the year. We have a full Football League schedule, starting with Coventry v Ipswich at 18:00, while we will also monitor a close watch on the two night fixtures from Group A at this Africa Cup of Nations: Zambia against the hosts Morocco as well as Mali facing Comoros.
Our primary attention will be on the following matches, with 19:45 kick-offs except where noted.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- The Coelacanths v The Eagles (19:00)
- Zambia v The Atlas Lions (7pm)
Championship
- Coventry v The Tractor Boys (6pm)
- Leicester v The Rams
- Middlesbrough v Hull
- Millwall v Bristol City
- The Red Dragons v Preston
League One
- Cardiff versus Stevenage
Recent Team News
Coventry v Ipswich Team News
The evening's opener, featuring the sides sitting first and third in the second tier, promises to be an exciting match. These are the starting elevens.
Coventry (4-2-3-1) The goalkeeper; van Ewijk, the centre-back, Kitching, Brau; Torp, Grimes; Sakamoto, Rudoni, the forward; Wright.
Subs: The backup keeper, the midfielder, Simms, the defender, Bidwell, Latibeaudiere, the midfielder, Perry, the player.
Ipswich Town (4-2-3-1) The shot-stopper; Furlong, the centre-half, Kipre, the left-back; Matusiwa, the midfielder; the attacker, Nunez, Jack Clarke; the centre-forward.
Substitutes: Palmer, the defender, the midfielder, the defender, the midfielder, the winger, the forward, Philogene-Bidace, Akpom.
Referee Anthony Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: Group A Scenarios
The situation is complex. It always is when some but not all third-placed sides qualify. Here’s how things look before tonight’s last set of games.
- The Atlas Lions 4 points, GD+2
- The Eagles 2 points, GD0 (goals scored 2)
- Zambia 2pts, 0 goal difference (with 1 goal for)
- Comoros 1 point, GD-2
In short, Morocco is likely safe but will want to beat their opponents and top the group. Zambia likely requires at least a point versus Morocco. Comoros probably must to beat their rivals, who should advance with a point.
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, it's best not to seek out that information.
Second Tier 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 |
