The Sky Blues v Ipswich, Leicester versus The Rams, along with More Football Action Updates
Greetings to the packed night of Football League and continental soccer action. The spotlight falls on major Championship encounters plus the crucial final pool games in the Afcon tournament.
Opening Notes
Oh, hi folks. Welcome to the reportedly this second-to-last soccer clockwatch of the year. There’s a full Football League programme, kicking off with Coventry v Ipswich at 6pm, while we’ll also be keeping at least a third of an eye on the two evening fixtures from Group A at the Africa Cup of Nations: Zambia against the hosts Morocco as well as Mali facing Comoros.
Our primary attention will be on these matches, with 19:45 start times except where noted.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- Comoros versus Mali (19:00)
- Zambia versus Morocco (7pm)
Second Division Matches
- The Sky Blues v The Tractor Boys (18:00)
- Leicester versus Derby
- Boro versus Hull
- Millwall v Bristol City
- Wrexham versus North End
League One
- The Bluebirds versus Stevenage
Recent Lineup Updates
Ipswich at Coventry Confirmed Lineups
The early game, featuring the sides sitting top and third in the Championship, looks like an exciting match. These are the confirmed lineups.
Coventry City (4-2-3-1) Rushworth; the right-back, the centre-back, the defender, Brau; Torp, Grimes; the winger, Rudoni, Mason-Clark; the striker.
Substitutes: The backup keeper, the midfielder, the forward, the defender, Bidwell, the defender, the midfielder, Perry, the player.
Ipswich (4-2-3-1) Walton; the defender, the centre-half, the defender, Greaves; Matusiwa, the midfielder; the attacker, Nunez, the winger; Azon.
Substitutes: The goalkeeper, the defender, the midfielder, Humphreys, Cajuste, the winger, McAteer, Philogene-Bidace, the striker.
Referee Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: Group A Scenarios
Look, it’s complicated. That's often the case when some but not all third-placed teams qualify. Here’s how things look before tonight’s last set of games.
- The Atlas Lions 4pts, GD+2
- Mali 2 points, 0 goal difference (goals scored 2)
- The Copper Bullets 2pts, GD0 (goals scored 1)
- Comoros 1pt, -2 goal difference
Briefly, Morocco are probably fine but will want to defeat Zambia and win their pool. Zambia likely requires at least a point versus the hosts. The island nation likely must to overcome Mali, who should advance if they get a point.
Lotta ins, lotta outs, lotta what-have-yous.
Angola v Egypt Update
The conclusion of the second group at the Africa Cup of Nations has coverage elsewhere. To avoid spoilers, avoid following that coverage.
Championship 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 |
