The Sky Blues versus The Tractor Boys, Leicester versus Derby, along with Additional EFL League Updates
Hello to a full evening of EFL and international soccer action. The spotlight falls on key Championship matches plus the pivotal final pool games in this Afcon competition.
Introduction
Greetings to all. You are welcome to the reportedly this penultimate soccer live blog of the year. There’s an extensive EFL schedule, starting with Coventry v Ipswich at 18:00, while we’ll also be keeping at least a third of an eye on the two night games from the first group at the Afcon: Morocco hosting Zambia as well as Mali facing Comoros.
Our primary attention will be on the following matches, all 7.45pm kick-offs except where noted.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- Comoros versus Mali (19:00)
- The Copper Bullets v The Atlas Lions (7pm)
Second Division Matches
- Coventry versus The Tractor Boys (18:00)
- The Foxes v Derby
- Middlesbrough v The Tigers
- Millwall v The Robins
- Wrexham versus Preston
League One
- Cardiff versus Stevenage
Latest Lineup Updates
Coventry v Ipswich Team News
The evening's opener, between the teams who are top and third in the Championship, looks like a thriller. Here are the confirmed lineups.
Coventry (4-2-3-1) The goalkeeper; the right-back, the centre-back, the defender, Brau; Torp, Grimes; the winger, Rudoni, Mason-Clark; Wright.
Subs: The backup keeper, Allen, Simms, the defender, Bidwell, Latibeaudiere, the midfielder, Perry, the player.
Ipswich (4-2-3-1) The shot-stopper; Furlong, the centre-half, Kipre, Greaves; Matusiwa, Taylor; the attacker, the playmaker, the winger; the centre-forward.
Subs: The goalkeeper, Young, the midfielder, the defender, Cajuste, the winger, the forward, Philogene-Bidace, Akpom.
Referee Anthony Backhouse (Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: First Group Permutations
It's a tricky picture. That's often the case where only some third-placed sides qualify. Here’s how things look ahead of this evening's last set of matches.
- Morocco 4 points, GD+2
- The Eagles 2pts, GD0 (goals scored 2)
- Zambia 2 points, 0 goal difference (with 1 goal for)
- Comoros 1 point, GD-2
Briefly, Morocco is likely safe but will want to defeat Zambia to win the group. Zambia probably need at least a point versus the hosts. Comoros probably need to beat Mali, who should advance with a point.
A host of potential results and permutations.
Angola v Egypt Latest
The denouement of the second group at this continental championship has coverage elsewhere. For those wishing to remain unaware, it's best not to seek out that information.
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 |