Coventry versus The Tractor Boys, The Foxes against The Rams, along with Additional EFL Action Previews
Hello to the full evening of Football League as well as international football action. Our focus includes key second-tier clashes and those pivotal last pool matches in this Afcon competition.
Preamble
Greetings to all. Welcome to what is arguably this second-to-last football clockwatch of the year. There’s a full Football League slate, kicking off with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 18:00, while we will also monitor at least a third of an eye on the two night fixtures from Group A at this Afcon: Morocco hosting Zambia as well as Mali facing Comoros.
Our primary attention will be on these matches, with 7.45pm start times unless stated.
Afcon 2025
- Comoros versus Mali (7pm)
- The Copper Bullets v The Atlas Lions (19:00)
Championship
- The Sky Blues versus Ipswich (6pm)
- The Foxes v Derby
- Middlesbrough v Hull
- The Lions versus The Robins
- Wrexham versus North End
Third Tier Fixture
- The Bluebirds versus Boro
Latest Lineup Updates
Ipswich at Coventry Team News
The early game, featuring the sides sitting first and third in the second tier, could be a cracker. These are the two XIs.
Coventry (a 4-2-3-1 formation) The goalkeeper; the right-back, Woolfenden, the defender, the left-back; the midfielder, Grimes; the winger, Rudoni, the forward; Wright.
Substitutes: Wilson, the midfielder, the forward, the defender, the full-back, the defender, the midfielder, the youngster, the player.
Ipswich (4-2-3-1) Walton; the defender, O’Shea, Kipre, Greaves; the midfielder, the midfielder; Walle, the playmaker, Jack Clarke; the centre-forward.
Substitutes: Palmer, Young, the midfielder, the defender, Cajuste, the winger, the forward, the attacker, the striker.
Referee Anthony Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: Group A Permutations
Look, it’s complicated. It always is when some but not all third-placed teams qualify. Here’s how things look before tonight’s final round of matches.
- The Atlas Lions 4 points, +2 goal difference
- Mali 2 points, GD0 (goals scored 2)
- Zambia 2 points, GD0 (goals scored 1)
- The Coelacanths 1pt, GD-2
Briefly, Morocco are probably fine but will want to beat their opponents to top the group. Zambia probably need at least a point against Morocco. Comoros probably need to overcome their rivals, who will probably be okay with a point.
A host of potential results and permutations.
Angola v Egypt Latest
The conclusion to the second group at the Africa Cup of Nations is being covered. If you don’t want to know the score, don’t click the link.
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 |
