Coventry v The Tractor Boys, The Foxes against The Rams, and More EFL Action Updates
Hello to a busy evening of EFL as well as continental football action. The spotlight falls on major Championship clashes and the crucial last pool games in the Afcon competition.
Preamble
Hello everyone. You are welcome to what is arguably the penultimate football live blog of the year. We have an extensive Football League programme, starting with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 6pm, and we’ll also be keeping a close watch on the two evening fixtures from Group A at the Afcon: Morocco hosting Zambia and Mali facing Comoros.
We'll be focussing on these matches, with 7.45pm kick-offs unless stated.
Afcon 2025
- Comoros v The Eagles (7pm)
- The Copper Bullets v The Atlas Lions (7pm)
Championship
- Coventry versus Ipswich (18:00)
- Leicester versus Derby
- Boro v Hull
- The Lions v The Robins
- Wrexham v North End
Third Tier Fixture
- Cardiff v Stevenage
Recent Team News
Ipswich at Coventry Confirmed Lineups
The evening's opener, featuring the sides sitting top and third in the second tier, promises to be an exciting match. These are the two XIs.
Coventry City (4-2-3-1) The goalkeeper; van Ewijk, the centre-back, the defender, the left-back; Torp, Grimes; the winger, Rudoni, Mason-Clark; Wright.
Subs: The backup keeper, the midfielder, the forward, Kesler-Hayden, the full-back, Latibeaudiere, Eccles, the youngster, the player.
Ipswich (4-2-3-1) Walton; the defender, O’Shea, Kipre, the left-back; Matusiwa, Taylor; Walle, the playmaker, Jack Clarke; Azon.
Subs: Palmer, Young, Johnson, the defender, the midfielder, the winger, the forward, Philogene-Bidace, the striker.
Referee Backhouse (Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: First Group Permutations
The situation is complex. It always is when some but not all third-placed sides progress. This is the current state ahead of this evening's last round of matches.
- Morocco 4 points, +2 goal difference
- The Eagles 2pts, GD0 (goals scored 2)
- Zambia 2 points, 0 goal difference (with 1 goal for)
- The Coelacanths 1pt, GD-2
To summarize, Morocco are probably fine though they will aim to defeat their opponents and win the group. Zambia likely requires a draw or better against Morocco. Comoros likely must to overcome Mali, who will probably be okay if they get a draw.
A host of potential results and permutations.
Angola v Egypt Latest
The denouement of the second group at the Africa Cup of Nations has coverage elsewhere. To avoid spoilers, 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 |
