Coventry v The Tractor Boys, The Foxes versus Derby, along with Additional EFL Action Updates
Greetings to a full night of EFL and continental football fixtures. We'll be covering major second-tier encounters plus those crucial final pool games in this Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
Opening Notes
Hello everyone. Welcome to what is reportedly this second-to-last football clockwatch of the year. There’s a full EFL schedule, starting with Coventry v Ipswich at 18:00, while we’ll also be keeping at least a third of an eye on the two night games from Group A at the Africa Cup of Nations: Zambia against the hosts Morocco and Mali facing Comoros.
Our primary attention will be on the following games, with 19:45 kick-offs unless stated.
Afcon 2025
- Comoros versus Mali (19:00)
- Zambia v Morocco (19:00)
Championship
- The Sky Blues v Ipswich (6pm)
- The Foxes v The Rams
- Boro versus The Tigers
- The Lions versus The Robins
- The Red Dragons versus Preston
Third Tier Fixture
- Cardiff v Boro
Latest Lineup Updates
Coventry v Ipswich Confirmed Lineups
The early game, between the teams who are top and third in the Championship, looks like an exciting match. Here are the two XIs.
Coventry (a 4-2-3-1 formation) Rushworth; van Ewijk, Woolfenden, Kitching, the left-back; Torp, the captain; Sakamoto, the attacking midfielder, the forward; Wright.
Subs: The backup keeper, the midfielder, the forward, Kesler-Hayden, Bidwell, Latibeaudiere, the midfielder, Perry, Andrews.
Ipswich (a 4-2-3-1 setup) The shot-stopper; Furlong, the centre-half, Kipre, Greaves; the midfielder, Taylor; Walle, the playmaker, Jack Clarke; the centre-forward.
Subs: Palmer, Young, the midfielder, Humphreys, Cajuste, the winger, the forward, Philogene-Bidace, Akpom.
Referee Anthony Backhouse (Cumbria).
Afcon 2025: First Group Permutations
It's a tricky picture. It always is when some but not all third-placed teams progress. Here’s how things look ahead of this evening's last round of games.
- The Atlas Lions 4pts, +2 goal difference
- The Eagles 2 points, 0 goal difference (with 2 goals for)
- Zambia 2 points, 0 goal difference (goals scored 1)
- Comoros 1pt, GD-2
Briefly, Morocco are probably fine but will want to beat Zambia and top the group. Zambia probably need at least a point versus the hosts. Comoros likely must to overcome Mali, who should advance if they get a draw.
Many possibilities, various outcomes, plenty of scenarios.
Egypt's Match with Angola Latest
The denouement of the second group at this continental championship is being covered. For those wishing to remain unaware, avoid following that coverage.
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 |
