Coventry against Ipswich, The Foxes versus The Rams, along with Additional Football Action Previews
Hello to the full evening of EFL and continental football fixtures. We'll be covering key Championship clashes and those pivotal final pool matches in the Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
Introduction
Greetings to all. Welcome to the reportedly the second-to-last football live blog of the year. There’s a full Football League schedule, starting with Coventry v Ipswich at 18:00, while we’ll also be keeping at least a third of an eye on both night games from the first group at this Afcon: Morocco hosting Zambia and Comoros v Mali.
Our primary attention will be on the following fixtures, all 19:45 start times unless stated.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- The Coelacanths v Mali (7pm)
- The Copper Bullets v The Atlas Lions (7pm)
Championship
- The Sky Blues v Ipswich (18:00)
- Leicester v The Rams
- Middlesbrough v Hull
- Millwall v The Robins
- Wrexham versus North End
League One
- Cardiff v Stevenage
Latest Lineup Updates
Ipswich at Coventry Confirmed Lineups
The evening's opener, between the teams who are first and third in the Championship, promises to be a cracker. These are the starting elevens.
Coventry City (a 4-2-3-1 formation) The goalkeeper; van Ewijk, the centre-back, the defender, Brau; the midfielder, Grimes; Sakamoto, the attacking midfielder, Mason-Clark; Wright.
Substitutes: Wilson, Allen, Simms, Kesler-Hayden, Bidwell, the defender, the midfielder, Perry, the player.
Ipswich Town (4-2-3-1) The shot-stopper; Furlong, the centre-half, the defender, Greaves; Matusiwa, the midfielder; Walle, Nunez, Jack Clarke; the centre-forward.
Substitutes: The goalkeeper, Young, Johnson, the defender, Cajuste, the winger, the forward, the attacker, Akpom.
Referee Backhouse (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. This is the current state ahead of tonight’s final set of games.
- The Atlas Lions 4pts, GD+2
- Mali 2 points, 0 goal difference (goals scored 2)
- Zambia 2pts, 0 goal difference (with 1 goal for)
- The Coelacanths 1pt, GD-2
In short, Morocco is likely safe though they will aim to defeat their opponents to top the group. Zambia probably need a draw or better versus the hosts. The island nation likely must to beat Mali, who should advance if they get a draw.
Lotta ins, lotta outs, lotta what-have-yous.
Angola v Egypt Latest
The final act to Group B at this continental championship has coverage elsewhere. To avoid spoilers, 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 |