The Sky Blues versus Ipswich, Leicester v The Rams, and More EFL Action Previews
Hello to a full evening of EFL as well as international football fixtures. The spotlight falls on key second-tier matches plus those crucial final pool games in this Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
Opening Notes
Oh, hi folks. Welcome to what is checks writing desk rota the second-to-last football clockwatch of the year. There’s a full Football League schedule, kicking off with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 18:00, and we will also monitor a close watch on the two evening fixtures from the first group at this Afcon: Zambia against the hosts Morocco and Comoros v Mali.
Our primary attention will be on these fixtures, all 7.45pm kick-offs unless stated.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- Comoros v The Eagles (7pm)
- Zambia versus Morocco (7pm)
Championship
- The Sky Blues versus The Tractor Boys (6pm)
- Leicester versus Derby
- Middlesbrough versus The Tigers
- Millwall versus Bristol City
- Wrexham v Preston
League One
- Cardiff versus Stevenage
Recent Lineup Updates
Coventry v Ipswich Confirmed Lineups
The evening's opener, between the teams who are top and third in the Championship, looks like a thriller. These are the starting elevens.
Coventry City (a 4-2-3-1 formation) Rushworth; van Ewijk, the centre-back, Kitching, the left-back; Torp, Grimes; the winger, the attacking midfielder, the forward; the striker.
Subs: Wilson, the midfielder, Simms, Kesler-Hayden, Bidwell, Latibeaudiere, Eccles, the youngster, the player.
Ipswich Town (a 4-2-3-1 setup) Walton; the defender, O’Shea, the defender, Greaves; Matusiwa, Taylor; Walle, the playmaker, Jack Clarke; the centre-forward.
Substitutes: The goalkeeper, Young, the midfielder, Humphreys, Cajuste, Burns, McAteer, the attacker, Akpom.
The official Anthony Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: Group A Permutations
It's a tricky picture. That's often the case where only some third-place sides qualify. This is the current state before tonight’s last round of games.
- The Atlas Lions 4pts, +2 goal difference
- Mali 2pts, GD0 (with 2 goals for)
- Zambia 2pts, 0 goal difference (with 1 goal for)
- The Coelacanths 1 point, -2 goal difference
In short, Morocco is likely safe though they will aim to defeat their opponents and top their pool. Zambia likely requires at least a point versus Morocco. Comoros likely need to overcome their rivals, who should advance if they get a point.
Many possibilities, various outcomes, plenty of scenarios.
Egypt's Match with Angola Update
The final act of Group B at the Africa Cup of Nations has coverage elsewhere. To avoid spoilers, 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 |
