The Sky Blues against Ipswich, Leicester versus Derby, and More EFL Action Updates
Hello for the busy night of Football League as well as international football fixtures. The spotlight falls on important second-tier encounters plus the crucial final pool games in this Afcon tournament.
Introduction
Oh, hi folks. Welcome to the arguably the penultimate soccer clockwatch of the year. We have an extensive Football League slate, kicking off with Coventry v Ipswich at 18:00, and we’ll also be keeping at least a third of an eye on both evening games from Group A at the Afcon: Zambia against the hosts Morocco and Mali facing Comoros.
Our primary attention will be on the following games, all 7.45pm kick-offs except where noted.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- Comoros v The Eagles (19:00)
- Zambia versus The Atlas Lions (19:00)
Second Division Matches
- Coventry v Ipswich (6pm)
- The Foxes versus The Rams
- Middlesbrough versus Hull
- The Lions v Bristol City
- Wrexham v North End
Third Tier Fixture
- The Bluebirds versus Boro
Recent Team News
Coventry v Ipswich Confirmed Lineups
The evening's opener, featuring the sides sitting first and third in the second tier, could be a thriller. Here are the confirmed lineups.
Coventry (4-2-3-1) The goalkeeper; van Ewijk, Woolfenden, the defender, Brau; the midfielder, the captain; the winger, Rudoni, Mason-Clark; Wright.
Subs: The backup keeper, Allen, the forward, Kesler-Hayden, Bidwell, Latibeaudiere, Eccles, Perry, the player.
Ipswich Town (a 4-2-3-1 setup) The shot-stopper; the defender, the centre-half, the defender, Greaves; Matusiwa, Taylor; Walle, the playmaker, Jack Clarke; the centre-forward.
Subs: The goalkeeper, the defender, Johnson, the defender, Cajuste, the winger, McAteer, the attacker, Akpom.
Referee Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Afcon 2025: Group A Permutations
It's a tricky picture. It always is when some but not all third-place teams qualify. This is the current state before this evening's last set of matches.
- Morocco 4 points, +2 goal difference
- Mali 2 points, GD0 (with 2 goals for)
- Zambia 2pts, GD0 (with 1 goal for)
- Comoros 1 point, GD-2
In short, Morocco is likely safe though they will aim to beat their opponents and win the group. Zambia probably need at least a point versus Morocco. The island nation probably must to beat their rivals, who should advance with a draw.
Many possibilities, various outcomes, plenty of scenarios.
Angola v Egypt Update
The final act to the second group at the continental championship is being covered. If you don’t want to know the score, 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 |
