Coventry against Ipswich, Leicester versus Derby, and More Football League Updates
Welcome to a full evening of EFL and continental football fixtures. Our focus includes key second-tier matches and the crucial final group matches in the Afcon tournament.
Preamble
Oh, hi folks. Welcome to what is reportedly this second-to-last football live blog of the year. There’s an extensive EFL schedule, kicking off with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 6pm, and we will also monitor at least a third of an eye on the two night games from Group A at this Afcon: Zambia against the hosts Morocco as well as Mali facing Comoros.
Our primary attention will be on the following fixtures, all 19:45 start times except where noted.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- Comoros v The Eagles (19:00)
- The Copper Bullets versus Morocco (19:00)
Championship
- Coventry v The Tractor Boys (6pm)
- Leicester versus Derby
- Boro v Hull
- Millwall versus The Robins
- Wrexham v North End
League One
- Cardiff v Stevenage
Latest Team News
Ipswich at Coventry Team News
The early game, between the teams who are top and third in the second tier, could be a thriller. Here are the starting elevens.
Coventry City (a 4-2-3-1 formation) The goalkeeper; the right-back, Woolfenden, the defender, the left-back; Torp, Grimes; the winger, Rudoni, Mason-Clark; the striker.
Substitutes: Wilson, Allen, the forward, Kesler-Hayden, Bidwell, Latibeaudiere, Eccles, the youngster, the player.
Ipswich Town (a 4-2-3-1 setup) Walton; the defender, the centre-half, Kipre, Greaves; the midfielder, Taylor; Walle, Nunez, Jack Clarke; the centre-forward.
Subs: The goalkeeper, Young, the midfielder, Humphreys, Cajuste, Burns, the forward, the attacker, the striker.
The official Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: First Group Scenarios
Look, it’s complicated. That's often the case when some but not all third-placed teams progress. Here’s how things look ahead of tonight’s last round of games.
- The Atlas Lions 4 points, +2 goal difference
- The Eagles 2 points, GD0 (with 2 goals for)
- The Copper Bullets 2 points, 0 goal difference (goals scored 1)
- The Coelacanths 1pt, -2 goal difference
Briefly, Morocco is likely safe though they will aim to beat their opponents and win their pool. Zambia likely requires at least a point versus the hosts. Comoros likely need to beat their rivals, who should advance with a draw.
Many possibilities, various outcomes, plenty of scenarios.
Angola v Egypt Latest
The denouement of the second group at this continental championship has coverage elsewhere. For those wishing to remain unaware, it's best not to seek out that information.
Second Tier 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 |
