Coventry versus The Tractor Boys, Leicester against The Rams, and More Football Action Updates
Welcome to the full evening of EFL and continental football fixtures. The spotlight falls on key Championship clashes and the crucial last pool matches in the Afcon competition.
Introduction
Greetings to all. Welcome to the checks writing desk rota the penultimate football live blog of the year. There’s a full Football League slate, starting with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 18:00, while we’ll also be keeping at least a third of an eye on the two evening fixtures from the first group at the Afcon: Zambia against the hosts Morocco as well as Comoros v Mali.
We'll be focussing on these games, all 7.45pm start times except where noted.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- The Coelacanths versus The Eagles (19:00)
- The Copper Bullets versus Morocco (19:00)
Second Division Matches
- The Sky Blues versus The Tractor Boys (6pm)
- Leicester versus The Rams
- Boro v The Tigers
- Millwall v Bristol City
- The Red Dragons versus North End
League One
- Cardiff v Stevenage
Latest 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 a cracker. These are the starting elevens.
Coventry (a 4-2-3-1 formation) The goalkeeper; the right-back, Woolfenden, Kitching, Brau; the midfielder, Grimes; Sakamoto, Rudoni, the forward; the striker.
Subs: The backup keeper, the midfielder, the forward, Kesler-Hayden, Bidwell, the defender, the midfielder, the youngster, Andrews.
Ipswich Town (4-2-3-1) Walton; Furlong, O’Shea, Kipre, Greaves; Matusiwa, the midfielder; the attacker, the playmaker, the winger; Azon.
Subs: The goalkeeper, the defender, the midfielder, Humphreys, the midfielder, Burns, McAteer, the attacker, the striker.
The official Anthony Backhouse (Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: Group A Permutations
It's a tricky picture. It always is where only some third-placed teams qualify. Here’s how things look ahead of this evening's final round of games.
- Morocco 4 points, GD+2
- The Eagles 2 points, 0 goal difference (with 2 goals for)
- Zambia 2 points, 0 goal difference (goals scored 1)
- Comoros 1pt, GD-2
To summarize, Morocco are probably fine but will want to defeat their opponents to win the group. Zambia likely requires at least a point versus Morocco. The island nation likely need to overcome their rivals, who will probably be okay with a point.
Many possibilities, various outcomes, plenty of scenarios.
Egypt's Match with Angola Latest
The final act to the second group at this continental championship is being covered. For those wishing to remain unaware, avoid following that coverage.
Second Tier 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 |
