Coventry v Ipswich, Leicester versus Derby, along with Additional EFL Action Previews
Hello to a full evening of EFL and international soccer fixtures. The spotlight falls on key second-tier clashes plus the crucial final pool matches in the Afcon tournament.
Opening Notes
Greetings to all. You are welcome to what is reportedly this penultimate football clockwatch of the year. There’s an extensive EFL schedule, starting with Coventry v Ipswich at 18:00, and we’ll also be keeping a close watch on both evening games from Group A at the Africa Cup of Nations: Zambia against the hosts Morocco and Comoros v Mali.
Our primary attention will be on the following games, all 7.45pm kick-offs except where noted.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- The Coelacanths versus Mali (19:00)
- The Copper Bullets v Morocco (7pm)
Second Division Matches
- The Sky Blues v The Tractor Boys (18:00)
- The Foxes versus The Rams
- Middlesbrough v Hull
- The Lions versus Bristol City
- The Red Dragons v Preston
Third Tier Fixture
- The Bluebirds versus Boro
Recent Team News
Ipswich at Coventry Team News
The evening's opener, featuring the sides sitting first and third in the Championship, looks like a thriller. These are the starting elevens.
Coventry (a 4-2-3-1 formation) Rushworth; van Ewijk, the centre-back, the defender, the left-back; the midfielder, the captain; the winger, Rudoni, Mason-Clark; the striker.
Substitutes: Wilson, the midfielder, the forward, the defender, the full-back, the defender, the midfielder, the youngster, Andrews.
Ipswich Town (a 4-2-3-1 setup) The shot-stopper; Furlong, O’Shea, Kipre, Greaves; the midfielder, Taylor; the attacker, Nunez, the winger; Azon.
Substitutes: The goalkeeper, Young, the midfielder, the defender, Cajuste, the winger, the forward, Philogene-Bidace, Akpom.
The official Backhouse (Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: Group A Scenarios
It's a tricky picture. It always is where only some third-place teams progress. This is the current state before tonight’s final set of games.
- Morocco 4 points, GD+2
- Mali 2 points, 0 goal difference (goals scored 2)
- The Copper Bullets 2 points, GD0 (with 1 goal for)
- The Coelacanths 1 point, GD-2
Briefly, Morocco is likely safe though they will aim to beat their opponents and top their pool. Zambia probably need a draw or better versus Morocco. Comoros probably must to overcome Mali, who should advance with a draw.
A host of potential results and permutations.
Angola v Egypt Update
The final act of Group B at this continental championship is being covered. If you don’t want to know the score, don’t click the link.
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 |
