Coventry against Ipswich, The Foxes versus Derby, and More EFL Action Previews
Hello to the full evening of EFL and continental football action. Our focus includes key second-tier encounters plus those pivotal last group games in this Africa Cup of Nations competition.
Opening Notes
Oh, hi folks. You are welcome to what is reportedly this second-to-last football live blog of the year. There’s a full EFL programme, starting with Coventry v Ipswich at 6pm, and we’ll also be keeping at least a third of an eye on both night games from the first group at this Africa Cup of Nations: Morocco hosting Zambia and Comoros v Mali.
We'll be focussing on the following fixtures, with 7.45pm kick-offs unless stated.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- The Coelacanths v Mali (19:00)
- The Copper Bullets versus Morocco (7pm)
Second Division Matches
- Coventry v The Tractor Boys (18:00)
- Leicester v The Rams
- Boro versus The Tigers
- Millwall v The Robins
- Wrexham v North End
Third Tier Fixture
- The Bluebirds v Boro
Latest Team News
Coventry v Ipswich Team News
The early game, between the teams who are top and third in the second tier, could be an exciting match. Here are the starting elevens.
Coventry City (a 4-2-3-1 formation) Rushworth; the right-back, Woolfenden, Kitching, Brau; the midfielder, Grimes; the winger, the attacking midfielder, the forward; the striker.
Substitutes: The backup keeper, the midfielder, the forward, the defender, Bidwell, Latibeaudiere, the midfielder, the youngster, the player.
Ipswich Town (a 4-2-3-1 setup) The shot-stopper; Furlong, O’Shea, the defender, the left-back; the midfielder, Taylor; the attacker, Nunez, the winger; the centre-forward.
Substitutes: Palmer, the defender, Johnson, the defender, Cajuste, the winger, the forward, the attacker, Akpom.
The official Anthony Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: Group A Scenarios
It's a tricky picture. That's often the case where only some third-placed teams qualify. Here’s how things look before tonight’s final round of games.
- The Atlas Lions 4 points, GD+2
- Mali 2 points, 0 goal difference (goals scored 2)
- Zambia 2pts, GD0 (with 1 goal for)
- Comoros 1pt, GD-2
Briefly, Morocco are probably fine but will want to defeat their opponents and top the group. Zambia probably need at least a point versus the hosts. The island nation probably must to overcome Mali, who should advance if they get a point.
A host of potential results and permutations.
Angola v Egypt Latest
The final act of Group B at this continental championship has coverage elsewhere. For those wishing to remain unaware, avoid following that coverage.
Championship Standings 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 |
