Coventry versus Ipswich, The Foxes versus Derby, along with Additional EFL Action Updates
Greetings to a packed evening of Football League as well as continental soccer fixtures. We'll be covering major second-tier encounters plus those pivotal last pool games in this Afcon tournament.
Preamble
Greetings to all. You are welcome to what is reportedly the penultimate football live blog of the year. We have an extensive EFL programme, kicking off with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 6pm, and we’ll also be keeping at least a third of an eye on the two evening games from Group A at the Africa Cup of Nations: Zambia against the hosts Morocco as well as Mali facing Comoros.
Our primary attention will be on the following matches, all 19:45 start times unless stated.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- Comoros versus Mali (19:00)
- The Copper Bullets v The Atlas Lions (7pm)
Second Division Matches
- The Sky Blues v The Tractor Boys (6pm)
- The Foxes versus Derby
- Middlesbrough v Hull
- Millwall versus The Robins
- The Red Dragons versus North End
Third Tier Fixture
- Cardiff v Stevenage
Recent Lineup Updates
Coventry v Ipswich Team News
The early game, between the teams who are top and third in the second tier, looks like a cracker. Here are the two XIs.
Coventry (a 4-2-3-1 formation) Rushworth; the right-back, the centre-back, the defender, Brau; Torp, Grimes; Sakamoto, Rudoni, Mason-Clark; Wright.
Substitutes: Wilson, Allen, the forward, Kesler-Hayden, Bidwell, the defender, Eccles, the youngster, Andrews.
Ipswich (a 4-2-3-1 setup) Walton; the defender, the centre-half, Kipre, the left-back; Matusiwa, Taylor; the attacker, the playmaker, the winger; Azon.
Substitutes: Palmer, Young, the midfielder, Humphreys, the midfielder, Burns, the forward, Philogene-Bidace, the striker.
Referee Anthony Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Afcon 2025: Group A Scenarios
The situation is complex. It always is where only some third-place sides qualify. This is the current state before this evening's last set of matches.
- Morocco 4pts, +2 goal difference
- The Eagles 2 points, 0 goal difference (goals scored 2)
- The Copper Bullets 2pts, 0 goal difference (with 1 goal for)
- The Coelacanths 1pt, GD-2
In short, Morocco is likely safe though they will aim to defeat their opponents to top the group. Zambia likely requires at least a point against the hosts. The island nation likely need to overcome Mali, who will probably be okay if they get a point.
A host of potential results and permutations.
Angola v Egypt Latest
The final act of Group B at the continental championship is being covered. To avoid spoilers, 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 |
