The Sky Blues versus Ipswich, The Foxes v The Rams, along with More EFL League Updates
Welcome for a packed evening of EFL and continental football action. The spotlight falls on important Championship matches and those crucial last pool matches in this Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
Opening Notes
Hello everyone. Welcome to what is reportedly this second-to-last football clockwatch of the year. We have an extensive Football League slate, kicking off with Coventry v Ipswich at 18:00, while we will also monitor at least a third of an eye on both night fixtures from the first group at this Afcon: Morocco hosting Zambia and Mali facing Comoros.
Our primary attention will be on these matches, all 7.45pm start times except where noted.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- Comoros versus Mali (7pm)
- The Copper Bullets versus Morocco (7pm)
Second Division Matches
- Coventry v Ipswich (18:00)
- Leicester versus The Rams
- Boro versus Hull
- Millwall v The Robins
- Wrexham versus Preston
Third Tier Fixture
- The Bluebirds v Stevenage
Latest Lineup Updates
Ipswich at Coventry Confirmed Lineups
The early game, featuring the sides sitting top and third in the Championship, looks like a cracker. Here are the two XIs.
Coventry City (4-2-3-1) Rushworth; van Ewijk, Woolfenden, Kitching, the left-back; the midfielder, Grimes; Sakamoto, Rudoni, the forward; the striker.
Substitutes: The backup keeper, the midfielder, the forward, Kesler-Hayden, Bidwell, Latibeaudiere, the midfielder, the youngster, Andrews.
Ipswich Town (a 4-2-3-1 setup) The shot-stopper; Furlong, O’Shea, Kipre, the left-back; Matusiwa, Taylor; the attacker, Nunez, the winger; the centre-forward.
Substitutes: The goalkeeper, Young, the midfielder, the defender, Cajuste, the winger, the forward, the attacker, Akpom.
Referee Anthony Backhouse (Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: First Group Scenarios
The situation is complex. It always is when some but not all third-placed teams progress. This is the current state before this evening's last set of matches.
- The Atlas Lions 4pts, +2 goal difference
- Mali 2pts, GD0 (with 2 goals for)
- The Copper Bullets 2 points, 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 to top the group. Zambia likely requires at least a point against the hosts. The island nation likely must to overcome their rivals, who should advance with a point.
Lotta ins, lotta outs, lotta what-have-yous.
Angola v Egypt Latest
The denouement to the second group at the continental championship has coverage elsewhere. For those wishing to remain unaware, don’t click the link.
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 |
