Coventry v Ipswich, Leicester against Derby, and Additional EFL Action Previews
Greetings to the full evening of Football League as well as continental football fixtures. Our focus includes important Championship matches and those crucial last group games in the Afcon tournament.
Opening Notes
Greetings to all. You are welcome to the checks writing desk rota this penultimate football live blog of the year. There’s a full Football League slate, kicking off with Coventry v Ipswich at 18:00, while we’ll also be keeping at least a third of an eye on both evening fixtures from the first group at this Africa Cup of Nations: Zambia against the hosts Morocco as well as Comoros v Mali.
We'll be focussing on these matches, with 19:45 start times unless stated.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- The Coelacanths v Mali (19:00)
- The Copper Bullets versus The Atlas Lions (19:00)
Championship
- Coventry v The Tractor Boys (6pm)
- Leicester v The Rams
- Boro v The Tigers
- Millwall versus Bristol City
- Wrexham versus North End
League One
- The Bluebirds v Stevenage
Latest Lineup Updates
Ipswich at Coventry Confirmed Lineups
The early game, between the teams who are top and third in the second tier, promises to be a cracker. Here are the two XIs.
Coventry City (4-2-3-1) The goalkeeper; the right-back, Woolfenden, Kitching, Brau; Torp, the captain; Sakamoto, Rudoni, Mason-Clark; Wright.
Subs: The backup keeper, Allen, Simms, Kesler-Hayden, the full-back, the defender, the midfielder, the youngster, the player.
Ipswich Town (a 4-2-3-1 setup) Walton; Furlong, O’Shea, the defender, the left-back; the midfielder, the midfielder; the attacker, Nunez, the winger; Azon.
Substitutes: Palmer, the defender, Johnson, Humphreys, Cajuste, Burns, the forward, Philogene-Bidace, Akpom.
Referee Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Afcon 2025: First Group Scenarios
The situation is complex. That's often the case when some but not all third-placed teams qualify. This is the current state ahead of tonight’s last round of games.
- Morocco 4pts, GD+2
- Mali 2 points, 0 goal difference (goals scored 2)
- The Copper Bullets 2 points, GD0 (with 1 goal for)
- Comoros 1pt, GD-2
In short, Morocco is likely safe though they will aim to beat Zambia to top the group. Zambia probably need at least a point versus the hosts. The island nation probably need to overcome Mali, who should advance if they get a draw.
Lotta ins, lotta outs, lotta what-have-yous.
Egypt's Match with Angola Latest
The denouement to the second group at the Africa Cup of Nations is being covered. To avoid spoilers, 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 |
