Coventry v The Tractor Boys, Leicester against Derby, along with More EFL Action Updates
Welcome to the packed evening of EFL and continental football fixtures. Our focus includes major Championship clashes and the pivotal final group matches in this Afcon tournament.
Introduction
Greetings to all. You are welcome to the reportedly this penultimate football live blog of the year. We have a full EFL programme, kicking off with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 18:00, while we will also monitor at least a third of an eye on the two evening games from the first group at the Africa Cup of Nations: Morocco hosting Zambia and Mali facing Comoros.
Our primary attention will be on these games, all 7.45pm start times unless stated.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- The Coelacanths versus The Eagles (7pm)
- The Copper Bullets versus Morocco (19:00)
Championship
- Coventry versus Ipswich (6pm)
- The Foxes v Derby
- Boro v Hull
- The Lions v The Robins
- The Red Dragons versus Preston
Third Tier Fixture
- The Bluebirds versus Stevenage
Latest Lineup Updates
Ipswich at Coventry Team News
The early game, between the teams who are top and third in the second tier, could be an exciting match. Here are the two XIs.
Coventry (4-2-3-1) Rushworth; the right-back, Woolfenden, the defender, the left-back; the midfielder, the captain; Sakamoto, Rudoni, the forward; Wright.
Substitutes: The backup keeper, Allen, the forward, the defender, the full-back, the defender, the midfielder, the youngster, Andrews.
Ipswich Town (a 4-2-3-1 setup) The shot-stopper; the defender, O’Shea, the defender, Greaves; the midfielder, the midfielder; the attacker, the playmaker, the winger; Azon.
Subs: The goalkeeper, the defender, the midfielder, Humphreys, Cajuste, Burns, McAteer, the attacker, Akpom.
Referee Anthony Backhouse (Cumbria).
Afcon 2025: Group A Scenarios
Look, it’s complicated. It always is where only some third-placed sides qualify. This is the current state ahead of this evening's final set of games.
- Morocco 4pts, GD+2
- Mali 2pts, 0 goal difference (with 2 goals for)
- The Copper Bullets 2 points, GD0 (goals scored 1)
- Comoros 1pt, GD-2
In short, Morocco is likely safe though they will aim to beat Zambia to top their pool. Zambia probably need at least a point versus Morocco. Comoros probably need to overcome their rivals, who will probably be okay with a point.
A host of potential results and permutations.
Egypt's Match with Angola Update
The conclusion of the second group at the 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 Overview
| 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 |
