The Sky Blues versus Ipswich, The Foxes against Derby, and More Football Action Previews
Welcome for the packed night of EFL and international football action. We'll be covering important Championship encounters and the pivotal last pool games in the Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
Introduction
Oh, hi folks. Welcome to what is reportedly the second-to-last soccer live blog of the year. We have a full Football League schedule, kicking off with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 6pm, and we’ll also be keeping a close watch on the two night games from Group A at the Africa Cup of Nations: 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 v Mali (7pm)
- The Copper Bullets versus The Atlas Lions (19:00)
Championship
- The Sky Blues versus The Tractor Boys (6pm)
- Leicester versus The Rams
- Boro versus The Tigers
- The Lions versus Bristol City
- Wrexham versus Preston
Third Tier Fixture
- Cardiff versus Stevenage
Latest Team News
Ipswich at Coventry Confirmed Lineups
The early game, between the teams who are top and third in the Championship, promises to be an exciting match. Here are the confirmed lineups.
Coventry City (a 4-2-3-1 formation) The goalkeeper; the right-back, the centre-back, Kitching, Brau; the midfielder, the captain; Sakamoto, Rudoni, the forward; Wright.
Substitutes: Wilson, Allen, the forward, the defender, the full-back, Latibeaudiere, Eccles, Perry, Andrews.
Ipswich Town (4-2-3-1) Walton; the defender, O’Shea, the defender, Greaves; the midfielder, Taylor; Walle, Nunez, the winger; the centre-forward.
Subs: The goalkeeper, the defender, the midfielder, Humphreys, the midfielder, Burns, McAteer, the attacker, Akpom.
The official Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: Group A Permutations
The situation is complex. It always is when some but not all third-placed teams progress. This is the current state before tonight’s final set of matches.
- Morocco 4 points, GD+2
- Mali 2 points, 0 goal difference (goals scored 2)
- The Copper Bullets 2 points, 0 goal difference (goals scored 1)
- The Coelacanths 1pt, GD-2
In short, Morocco is likely safe though they will aim to beat Zambia and win the group. Zambia likely requires a draw or better versus Morocco. Comoros likely need to beat Mali, who should advance if they get a draw.
A host of potential results and permutations.
Egypt's Match with Angola Latest
The denouement of the second group at the continental championship has coverage elsewhere. To avoid spoilers, it's best not to seek out that information.
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 |
