The Sky Blues versus The Tractor Boys, The Foxes versus Derby, along with More Football Action Previews
Greetings to the busy evening of Football League as well as continental football action. The spotlight falls on major Championship encounters and the crucial last group matches in the Afcon competition.
Preamble
Hello everyone. Welcome to what is arguably the second-to-last football clockwatch of the year. We have an extensive EFL schedule, starting with Coventry v Ipswich at 6pm, while we’ll also be keeping a close watch on both night fixtures from Group A at the Africa Cup of Nations: Zambia against the hosts Morocco as well as Mali facing Comoros.
We'll be focussing on the following matches, with 7.45pm start times unless stated.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- The Coelacanths v The Eagles (7pm)
- The Copper Bullets versus The Atlas Lions (19:00)
Second Division Matches
- Coventry versus The Tractor Boys (18:00)
- The Foxes versus Derby
- Boro versus Hull
- The Lions v The Robins
- The Red Dragons v North End
Third Tier Fixture
- Cardiff v Boro
Recent Lineup Updates
Ipswich at Coventry Team News
The early game, between the teams who are first and third in the second tier, promises to be a thriller. These are the two XIs.
Coventry City (a 4-2-3-1 formation) The goalkeeper; van Ewijk, Woolfenden, the defender, Brau; the midfielder, Grimes; the winger, the attacking midfielder, Mason-Clark; Wright.
Substitutes: Wilson, Allen, Simms, Kesler-Hayden, the full-back, the defender, Eccles, Perry, the player.
Ipswich (a 4-2-3-1 setup) The shot-stopper; Furlong, O’Shea, Kipre, the left-back; Matusiwa, the midfielder; Walle, the playmaker, Jack Clarke; the centre-forward.
Subs: The goalkeeper, Young, Johnson, the defender, the midfielder, Burns, the forward, Philogene-Bidace, the striker.
The official Anthony Backhouse (Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: First Group Permutations
It's a tricky picture. It always is when some but not all third-placed teams progress. This is the current state before this evening's last round of matches.
- The Atlas Lions 4 points, GD+2
- The Eagles 2pts, GD0 (goals scored 2)
- The Copper Bullets 2 points, 0 goal difference (goals scored 1)
- Comoros 1pt, -2 goal difference
To summarize, Morocco is likely safe though they will aim to beat Zambia to win their pool. Zambia probably need a draw or better against Morocco. The island nation probably need to beat Mali, who will probably be okay if they get 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 is being covered. To avoid spoilers, it's best not to seek out that information.
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 |
