Coventry versus The Tractor Boys, The Foxes against Derby, and More EFL Action Previews
Welcome for the packed night of EFL and continental football fixtures. Our focus includes key second-tier encounters and the pivotal last pool games in this Afcon tournament.
Introduction
Hello everyone. Welcome to what is checks writing desk rota the penultimate soccer live blog 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 a close watch on the two night games from Group A at this Afcon: Morocco hosting Zambia as well as Comoros v Mali.
Our primary attention will be on these fixtures, all 19:45 start times except where noted.
Afcon 2025
- Comoros v The Eagles (7pm)
- Zambia versus The Atlas Lions (19:00)
Championship
- The Sky Blues v Ipswich (18:00)
- Leicester versus Derby
- Boro versus Hull
- Millwall v The Robins
- Wrexham versus North End
League One
- The Bluebirds versus Boro
Recent Team News
Ipswich at Coventry Confirmed Lineups
The evening's opener, featuring the sides sitting top and third in the second tier, looks like a cracker. These are the starting elevens.
Coventry (4-2-3-1) Rushworth; the right-back, the centre-back, Kitching, the left-back; the midfielder, Grimes; the winger, Rudoni, Mason-Clark; the striker.
Subs: Wilson, the midfielder, the forward, Kesler-Hayden, Bidwell, the defender, Eccles, the youngster, Andrews.
Ipswich (4-2-3-1) Walton; the defender, O’Shea, Kipre, Greaves; the midfielder, the midfielder; Walle, the playmaker, the winger; Azon.
Substitutes: Palmer, Young, the midfielder, Humphreys, Cajuste, the winger, the forward, the attacker, the striker.
The official Backhouse (Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: Group A Scenarios
The situation is complex. That's often the case where only some third-placed sides qualify. Here’s how things look before tonight’s last round of matches.
- The Atlas Lions 4 points, +2 goal difference
- The Eagles 2 points, GD0 (with 2 goals for)
- Zambia 2pts, 0 goal difference (with 1 goal for)
- The Coelacanths 1pt, GD-2
Briefly, Morocco are probably fine but will want to defeat Zambia and win their pool. Zambia likely requires at least a point against the hosts. Comoros likely must to beat Mali, who should advance if they get a point.
Lotta ins, lotta outs, lotta what-have-yous.
Angola v Egypt Update
The conclusion to Group B at the Africa Cup of Nations is being covered. For those wishing to remain unaware, avoid following that coverage.
Second Tier 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 |
