Coventry v The Tractor Boys, Leicester against The Rams, along with More Football League Previews
Welcome for the packed night of EFL as well as continental soccer action. Our focus includes key second-tier encounters and the pivotal last group matches in the Africa Cup of Nations competition.
Introduction
Greetings to all. Welcome to what is checks writing desk rota this second-to-last soccer live blog of the year. There’s a full Football League schedule, starting with Coventry v Ipswich at 6pm, and we’ll also be keeping at least a third of an eye on both evening fixtures from Group A at this Afcon: Zambia against the hosts Morocco as well as Mali facing Comoros.
We'll be focussing on the following matches, with 19:45 start times unless stated.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- The Coelacanths v Mali (19:00)
- Zambia v Morocco (19:00)
Second Division Matches
- The Sky Blues versus Ipswich (18:00)
- The Foxes v Derby
- Boro versus The Tigers
- Millwall versus The Robins
- The Red Dragons versus North End
Third Tier Fixture
- The Bluebirds v Boro
Recent Team News
Ipswich at Coventry Confirmed Lineups
The early game, featuring the sides sitting first and third in the second tier, looks like a thriller. Here are the confirmed lineups.
Coventry (4-2-3-1) The goalkeeper; the right-back, the centre-back, Kitching, Brau; the midfielder, the captain; Sakamoto, Rudoni, Mason-Clark; Wright.
Subs: Wilson, Allen, the forward, the defender, the full-back, the defender, Eccles, the youngster, the player.
Ipswich (4-2-3-1) Walton; the defender, the centre-half, the defender, the left-back; the midfielder, Taylor; Walle, Nunez, Jack Clarke; the centre-forward.
Substitutes: The goalkeeper, the defender, the midfielder, Humphreys, Cajuste, Burns, the forward, Philogene-Bidace, Akpom.
The official Anthony Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Afcon 2025: Group A Permutations
It's a tricky picture. It always is where only some third-place sides progress. Here’s how things look before this evening's last set of matches.
- Morocco 4 points, +2 goal difference
- Mali 2 points, GD0 (with 2 goals for)
- Zambia 2 points, GD0 (with 1 goal for)
- The Coelacanths 1 point, -2 goal difference
To summarize, Morocco is likely safe though they will aim to defeat Zambia to top the group. Zambia probably need a draw or better versus Morocco. Comoros likely must to beat their rivals, who should advance if they get a point.
Lotta ins, lotta outs, lotta what-have-yous.
Egypt's Match with Angola Latest
The final act of Group B at this continental championship is being covered. For those wishing to remain unaware, avoid following that coverage.
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 |
