The Sky Blues v Ipswich, Leicester versus The Rams, and More Football Action Previews
Welcome for a packed evening of EFL and continental football action. Our focus includes important Championship encounters plus the pivotal final group games in the Afcon competition.
Opening Notes
Oh, hi folks. Welcome to what is arguably the penultimate soccer live blog of the year. We have a full EFL programme, kicking off with Coventry v Ipswich at 6pm, and we will also monitor a close watch on the two night fixtures from the first group at this Afcon: Morocco hosting Zambia as well as Mali facing Comoros.
Our primary attention will be on the following fixtures, all 19:45 start times unless stated.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- Comoros v Mali (7pm)
- The Copper Bullets v The Atlas Lions (19:00)
Second Division Matches
- Coventry versus Ipswich (18:00)
- The Foxes versus The Rams
- Boro versus Hull
- The Lions versus The Robins
- Wrexham versus North End
Third Tier Fixture
- Cardiff v Stevenage
Recent Team News
Coventry v Ipswich Confirmed Lineups
The early game, between the teams who are first and third in the second tier, promises to be a cracker. These are the two XIs.
Coventry (4-2-3-1) The goalkeeper; the right-back, the centre-back, the defender, Brau; the midfielder, the captain; Sakamoto, the attacking midfielder, Mason-Clark; the striker.
Subs: Wilson, Allen, the forward, Kesler-Hayden, Bidwell, the defender, Eccles, the youngster, Andrews.
Ipswich Town (4-2-3-1) Walton; the defender, O’Shea, the defender, the left-back; the midfielder, the midfielder; Walle, Nunez, Jack Clarke; Azon.
Subs: Palmer, the defender, the midfielder, Humphreys, Cajuste, the winger, McAteer, Philogene-Bidace, Akpom.
The official Backhouse (Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: First Group Scenarios
It's a tricky picture. It always is where only some third-place sides progress. This is the current state before this evening's last round of matches.
- The Atlas Lions 4 points, GD+2
- Mali 2 points, 0 goal difference (goals scored 2)
- The Copper Bullets 2pts, GD0 (goals scored 1)
- The Coelacanths 1 point, GD-2
Briefly, Morocco is likely safe though they will aim to beat Zambia and top their pool. Zambia likely requires a draw or better against Morocco. Comoros likely need to beat Mali, who should advance if they get a point.
Many possibilities, various outcomes, plenty of scenarios.
Egypt's Match with Angola Latest
The final act of Group B at this continental championship is being covered. If you don’t want to know the score, avoid following that coverage.
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 |
