The Sky Blues versus Ipswich, The Foxes v The Rams, along with More EFL League Previews
Welcome for the busy night of EFL as well as international football action. Our focus includes important second-tier clashes and those crucial last pool matches in this Afcon competition.
Opening Notes
Oh, hi folks. Welcome to the checks writing desk rota this second-to-last football clockwatch of the year. We have an extensive Football League schedule, kicking off with Coventry v Ipswich at 18:00, while we will also monitor at least a third of an eye on the two night games from Group A at this Africa Cup of Nations: Zambia against the hosts Morocco and Comoros v Mali.
We'll be focussing on these matches, all 7.45pm kick-offs except where noted.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- The Coelacanths v Mali (7pm)
- The Copper Bullets versus The Atlas Lions (19:00)
Second Division Matches
- Coventry versus The Tractor Boys (18:00)
- Leicester v Derby
- Boro versus The Tigers
- The Lions versus Bristol City
- Wrexham versus North End
Third Tier Fixture
- The Bluebirds v Boro
Latest Team News
Ipswich at Coventry Team News
The evening's opener, between the teams who are first and third in the second tier, promises to be a thriller. These are the two XIs.
Coventry City (a 4-2-3-1 formation) Rushworth; van Ewijk, Woolfenden, the defender, the left-back; Torp, Grimes; the winger, the attacking midfielder, Mason-Clark; the striker.
Subs: The backup keeper, Allen, Simms, Kesler-Hayden, Bidwell, Latibeaudiere, the midfielder, Perry, Andrews.
Ipswich (4-2-3-1) The shot-stopper; Furlong, the centre-half, Kipre, the left-back; the midfielder, the midfielder; the attacker, Nunez, Jack Clarke; Azon.
Subs: Palmer, Young, the midfielder, Humphreys, the midfielder, Burns, McAteer, the attacker, the striker.
Referee Backhouse (Cumbria).
Afcon 2025: First Group Permutations
Look, it’s complicated. It always is where only some third-place teams qualify. Here’s how things look ahead of this evening's last set of games.
- Morocco 4pts, GD+2
- The Eagles 2 points, GD0 (goals scored 2)
- Zambia 2pts, GD0 (with 1 goal for)
- Comoros 1 point, -2 goal difference
Briefly, Morocco are probably fine though they will aim to beat Zambia and win the group. Zambia probably need a draw or better against Morocco. Comoros probably need to overcome Mali, who should advance if they get a point.
A host of potential results and permutations.
Angola v Egypt Update
The denouement of Group B at this Africa Cup of Nations has coverage elsewhere. 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 |
