Coventry v Ipswich, The Foxes versus Derby, along with Additional Football Action Updates
Hello to the full night of EFL and international football action. We'll be covering important second-tier matches plus the crucial last pool games in this Afcon tournament.
Opening Notes
Hello everyone. You are welcome to what is reportedly the second-to-last soccer clockwatch of the year. We have an extensive EFL schedule, kicking off with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 6pm, while we will also monitor a close watch on both night fixtures from Group A at this Afcon: Morocco hosting Zambia as well as Mali facing Comoros.
We'll be focussing on the following games, with 7.45pm kick-offs except where noted.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- The Coelacanths v Mali (19:00)
- The Copper Bullets versus Morocco (19:00)
Second Division Matches
- Coventry versus The Tractor Boys (18:00)
- Leicester v Derby
- Boro versus The Tigers
- Millwall versus The Robins
- Wrexham versus Preston
Third Tier Fixture
- The Bluebirds versus Boro
Latest Lineup Updates
Ipswich at Coventry Confirmed Lineups
The early game, featuring the sides sitting top and third in the second tier, could be an exciting match. These are the two XIs.
Coventry (4-2-3-1) Rushworth; the right-back, Woolfenden, the defender, the left-back; the midfielder, the captain; the winger, Rudoni, the forward; Wright.
Subs: Wilson, Allen, Simms, Kesler-Hayden, the full-back, Latibeaudiere, the midfielder, Perry, Andrews.
Ipswich Town (4-2-3-1) The shot-stopper; the defender, O’Shea, Kipre, the left-back; the midfielder, Taylor; the attacker, Nunez, Jack Clarke; Azon.
Subs: Palmer, Young, Johnson, the defender, the midfielder, the winger, McAteer, Philogene-Bidace, Akpom.
Referee Anthony Backhouse (Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: Group A Permutations
Look, it’s complicated. It always is when some but not all third-place sides progress. This is the current state ahead of tonight’s final set of matches.
- Morocco 4 points, GD+2
- Mali 2 points, 0 goal difference (goals scored 2)
- Zambia 2 points, 0 goal difference (goals scored 1)
- The Coelacanths 1pt, GD-2
To summarize, Morocco are probably fine but will want to beat their opponents to top the group. Zambia likely requires at least a point versus the hosts. Comoros likely need to overcome their rivals, who should advance with a point.
Lotta ins, lotta outs, lotta what-have-yous.
Egypt's Match with Angola Update
The denouement of the second group at the continental championship has coverage elsewhere. If you don’t want to know the score, 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 |
