The Sky Blues versus Ipswich, The Foxes versus The Rams, and More Football League Updates
Hello for a packed evening of Football League as well as continental football action. Our focus includes key second-tier encounters and those crucial final group games in the Afcon tournament.
Preamble
Hello everyone. You are welcome to the arguably the second-to-last soccer clockwatch of the year. There’s a full EFL programme, kicking off with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 18:00, while we will also monitor a close watch on both night fixtures from the first group at the Afcon: Zambia against the hosts Morocco and Mali facing Comoros.
We'll be focussing on these games, with 7.45pm start times unless stated.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- Comoros v Mali (7pm)
- Zambia versus The Atlas Lions (7pm)
Second Division Matches
- The Sky Blues v The Tractor Boys (6pm)
- Leicester v The Rams
- Middlesbrough v Hull
- The Lions versus Bristol City
- The Red Dragons versus North End
League One
- Cardiff versus Stevenage
Latest Lineup Updates
Ipswich at Coventry Confirmed Lineups
The early game, featuring the sides sitting first and third in the second tier, promises to be an exciting match. Here are the confirmed lineups.
Coventry City (a 4-2-3-1 formation) Rushworth; van Ewijk, the centre-back, the defender, the left-back; Torp, the captain; Sakamoto, Rudoni, Mason-Clark; the striker.
Substitutes: The backup keeper, the midfielder, Simms, the defender, the full-back, Latibeaudiere, Eccles, the youngster, Andrews.
Ipswich (4-2-3-1) Walton; Furlong, the centre-half, the defender, Greaves; the midfielder, Taylor; the attacker, the playmaker, the winger; Azon.
Substitutes: The goalkeeper, Young, Johnson, the defender, the midfielder, the winger, McAteer, the attacker, the striker.
Referee Anthony Backhouse (Cumbria).
Afcon 2025: Group A Scenarios
The situation is complex. That's often the case when some but not all third-place teams qualify. This is the current state ahead of this evening's final round of games.
- Morocco 4 points, +2 goal difference
- The Eagles 2 points, GD0 (with 2 goals for)
- Zambia 2pts, 0 goal difference (with 1 goal for)
- Comoros 1pt, -2 goal difference
Briefly, Morocco are probably fine though they will aim to defeat Zambia and win their pool. Zambia probably need a draw or better versus Morocco. Comoros likely must to beat Mali, who will probably be okay with a draw.
Many possibilities, various outcomes, plenty of scenarios.
Angola v Egypt Latest
The conclusion to the second group at this Africa Cup of Nations has coverage elsewhere. To avoid spoilers, don’t click the link.
Championship 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 |
