The Sky Blues versus Ipswich, Leicester versus Derby, and More Football Action Previews

Welcome for a packed night of EFL as well as continental soccer action. Our focus includes major second-tier clashes plus the pivotal final group matches in this Africa Cup of Nations tournament.

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 Football League programme, starting with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 18:00, while we’ll also be keeping at least a third of an eye on both night games from Group A at the Afcon: Zambia against the hosts Morocco as well as Mali facing Comoros.

We'll be focussing on these matches, with 7.45pm kick-offs unless stated.

Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures

• Comoros v Mali (7pm)
• Zambia versus The Atlas Lions (7pm)

Championship

• The Sky Blues v Ipswich (18:00)
• Leicester versus The Rams
• Middlesbrough versus Hull
• The Lions v The Robins
• Wrexham v North End

League One

• The Bluebirds v Stevenage

Latest Lineup Updates

Ipswich at Coventry Team News

The evening's opener, featuring the sides sitting top and third in the Championship, promises to be a cracker. These are the two XIs.

Coventry (4-2-3-1) Rushworth; the right-back, Woolfenden, Kitching, the left-back; Torp, the captain; the winger, Rudoni, the forward; the striker.

Substitutes: The backup keeper, Allen, the forward, the defender, Bidwell, the defender, Eccles, the youngster, the player.

Ipswich Town (4-2-3-1) Walton; Furlong, the centre-half, Kipre, Greaves; Matusiwa, Taylor; the attacker, Nunez, the winger; the centre-forward.

Substitutes: Palmer, Young, the midfielder, the defender, Cajuste, the winger, McAteer, Philogene-Bidace, Akpom.

Referee Anthony Backhouse (Cumbria).

Africa Cup of Nations: First Group Permutations

It's a tricky picture. It always is where only some third-place sides qualify. This is the current state ahead of this evening's last round of matches.

• The Atlas Lions 4pts, GD+2
• Mali 2pts, 0 goal difference (goals scored 2)
• Zambia 2pts, GD0 (with 1 goal for)
• Comoros 1 point, GD-2

To summarize, Morocco is likely safe though they will aim to defeat their opponents to win their pool. Zambia likely requires at least a point against the hosts. The island nation probably must to beat their rivals, who should advance with a draw.

Lotta ins, lotta outs, lotta what-have-yous.

Angola v Egypt Update

The conclusion of Group B at this continental championship is being covered. If you don’t want to know the score, avoid following that coverage.

Championship Standings Overview