Coventry v Ipswich, The Foxes versus Derby, along with More Football Action Previews
Greetings to the full evening of EFL as well as continental football action. The spotlight falls on major Championship clashes and the crucial last pool matches in the Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
Introduction
Greetings to all. You are welcome to what is checks writing desk rota the penultimate football clockwatch of the year. There’s a full Football League programme, kicking off with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 6pm, while we’ll also be keeping at least a third of an eye on both night games from Group A at the Africa Cup of Nations: Zambia against the hosts Morocco and Mali facing Comoros.
We'll be focussing on these matches, with 7.45pm start times unless stated.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- Comoros versus The Eagles (19:00)
- The Copper Bullets v The Atlas Lions (19:00)
Championship
- The Sky Blues v The Tractor Boys (18:00)
- Leicester versus Derby
- Middlesbrough versus Hull
- The Lions versus Bristol City
- Wrexham v North End
League One
- The Bluebirds v Stevenage
Recent Team News
Ipswich at Coventry Team News
The early game, featuring the sides sitting first and third in the Championship, promises to be a thriller. Here are the starting elevens.
Coventry (a 4-2-3-1 formation) Rushworth; van Ewijk, the centre-back, Kitching, Brau; Torp, the captain; Sakamoto, the attacking midfielder, the forward; Wright.
Subs: The backup keeper, the midfielder, the forward, the defender, the full-back, Latibeaudiere, the midfielder, the youngster, the player.
Ipswich (4-2-3-1) The shot-stopper; Furlong, O’Shea, the defender, Greaves; Matusiwa, the midfielder; Walle, the playmaker, the winger; Azon.
Subs: Palmer, the defender, Johnson, Humphreys, Cajuste, the winger, the forward, Philogene-Bidace, Akpom.
Referee Anthony Backhouse (Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: Group A Permutations
It's a tricky picture. It always is when some but not all third-place sides progress. Here’s how things look before this evening's last set of games.
- Morocco 4 points, GD+2
- Mali 2pts, 0 goal difference (with 2 goals for)
- The Copper Bullets 2pts, 0 goal difference (with 1 goal for)
- The Coelacanths 1pt, GD-2
To summarize, Morocco are probably fine though they will aim to beat Zambia and win their pool. Zambia likely requires at least a point versus Morocco. Comoros probably must to overcome their rivals, who should advance with a point.
A host of potential results and permutations.
Egypt's Match with Angola Latest
The conclusion to the second group at this Africa Cup of Nations has coverage elsewhere. For those wishing to remain unaware, don’t click the link.
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 |