Coventry against Ipswich, Leicester against Derby, and More EFL Action Updates
Welcome for the packed night of EFL as well as continental soccer action. We'll be covering key second-tier matches and the pivotal final group matches in this Afcon tournament.
Preamble
Oh, hi folks. Welcome to what is reportedly the penultimate soccer clockwatch of the year. We have a full Football League programme, kicking off with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 18:00, while we will also monitor a close watch on the two night fixtures from the first group at this Afcon: Morocco hosting Zambia as well as Comoros v Mali.
We'll be focussing on the following fixtures, with 19:45 kick-offs except where noted.
Afcon 2025
- The Coelacanths versus Mali (7pm)
- The Copper Bullets v The Atlas Lions (19:00)
Second Division Matches
- Coventry versus Ipswich (6pm)
- The Foxes v The Rams
- Middlesbrough v The Tigers
- Millwall versus The Robins
- Wrexham v Preston
Third Tier Fixture
- The Bluebirds v Boro
Recent Lineup Updates
Coventry v Ipswich Confirmed Lineups
The early game, featuring the sides sitting first and third in the Championship, looks like a thriller. Here are the two XIs.
Coventry City (a 4-2-3-1 formation) Rushworth; the right-back, Woolfenden, Kitching, the left-back; the midfielder, Grimes; the winger, the attacking midfielder, the forward; Wright.
Subs: The backup keeper, the midfielder, Simms, the defender, the full-back, the defender, the midfielder, the youngster, the player.
Ipswich (4-2-3-1) Walton; Furlong, O’Shea, Kipre, Greaves; Matusiwa, Taylor; Walle, Nunez, the winger; Azon.
Subs: The goalkeeper, Young, the midfielder, the defender, Cajuste, the winger, the forward, the attacker, Akpom.
The official Backhouse (Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: Group A Permutations
Look, it’s complicated. It always is where only some third-placed sides qualify. This is the current state ahead of this evening's last set of matches.
- Morocco 4pts, +2 goal difference
- Mali 2 points, 0 goal difference (with 2 goals for)
- The Copper Bullets 2pts, 0 goal difference (goals scored 1)
- The Coelacanths 1pt, GD-2
In short, Morocco is likely safe but will want to beat Zambia to top the group. Zambia probably need a draw or better against Morocco. The island nation likely need to overcome Mali, who should advance if they get a draw.
Many possibilities, various outcomes, plenty of scenarios.
Angola v Egypt Update
The conclusion to the second group at this continental championship has coverage elsewhere. For those wishing to remain unaware, don’t click the link.
Championship 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 |
