Coventry versus Ipswich, Leicester versus The Rams, along with More Football Action Previews
Greetings to a busy evening of Football League and continental football action. The spotlight falls on key second-tier matches and the pivotal final group matches in the Africa Cup of Nations competition.
Opening Notes
Hello everyone. You are welcome to the checks writing desk rota this second-to-last soccer clockwatch of the year. There’s a full EFL programme, kicking off with Coventry v Ipswich at 18:00, and we’ll also be keeping a close watch on both evening games from the first group at this Africa Cup of Nations: Zambia against the hosts Morocco and Mali facing Comoros.
We'll be focussing on the following matches, with 7.45pm start times unless stated.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- The Coelacanths versus Mali (7pm)
- The Copper Bullets v Morocco (7pm)
Championship
- Coventry versus The Tractor Boys (6pm)
- Leicester v Derby
- Middlesbrough v The Tigers
- The Lions v The Robins
- Wrexham versus Preston
League One
- Cardiff v Stevenage
Recent Team News
Coventry v Ipswich Team News
The evening's opener, between the teams who are top and third in the second tier, promises to be a thriller. Here are the two XIs.
Coventry (4-2-3-1) The goalkeeper; the right-back, Woolfenden, the defender, Brau; Torp, Grimes; Sakamoto, the attacking midfielder, the forward; the striker.
Substitutes: The backup keeper, Allen, Simms, the defender, Bidwell, Latibeaudiere, the midfielder, the youngster, the player.
Ipswich Town (a 4-2-3-1 setup) The shot-stopper; Furlong, O’Shea, Kipre, the left-back; the midfielder, Taylor; the attacker, the playmaker, Jack Clarke; Azon.
Subs: The goalkeeper, the defender, the midfielder, Humphreys, Cajuste, Burns, the forward, Philogene-Bidace, Akpom.
Referee Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: First Group Scenarios
The situation is complex. It always is when some but not all third-placed sides progress. This is the current state before tonight’s last round of matches.
- Morocco 4 points, +2 goal difference
- The Eagles 2pts, GD0 (goals scored 2)
- The Copper Bullets 2pts, GD0 (goals scored 1)
- The Coelacanths 1 point, GD-2
To summarize, Morocco are probably fine though they will aim to defeat Zambia to top their pool. Zambia likely requires a draw or better versus the hosts. The island nation probably need to beat their rivals, who will probably be okay with a point.
Many possibilities, various outcomes, plenty of scenarios.
Angola v Egypt Latest
The denouement of Group B at this continental championship has coverage elsewhere. To avoid spoilers, 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 |
