Coventry against The Tractor Boys, Leicester versus Derby, and Additional EFL Action Previews
Greetings for a busy evening of Football League as well as international soccer fixtures. Our focus includes major second-tier matches and the crucial last pool matches in this Afcon competition.
Opening Notes
Greetings to all. Welcome to what is arguably this second-to-last football live blog of the year. We have a full EFL slate, starting with Coventry v Ipswich at 18:00, while we will also monitor a close watch on both evening fixtures from Group A at the Africa Cup of Nations: Morocco hosting Zambia as well as Comoros v Mali.
We'll be focussing on the following matches, all 7.45pm kick-offs except where noted.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- Comoros v Mali (19:00)
- Zambia versus The Atlas Lions (7pm)
Championship
- Coventry versus Ipswich (6pm)
- Leicester versus Derby
- Boro v Hull
- Millwall versus The Robins
- The Red Dragons v Preston
Third Tier Fixture
- Cardiff versus Stevenage
Recent Team News
Ipswich at Coventry Team News
The evening's opener, between the teams who are top and third in the second tier, could be a thriller. Here are the starting elevens.
Coventry (a 4-2-3-1 formation) The goalkeeper; the right-back, Woolfenden, the defender, the left-back; Torp, the captain; the winger, the attacking midfielder, the forward; the striker.
Substitutes: Wilson, Allen, the forward, Kesler-Hayden, Bidwell, Latibeaudiere, the midfielder, the youngster, Andrews.
Ipswich (a 4-2-3-1 setup) The shot-stopper; the defender, O’Shea, the defender, the left-back; Matusiwa, the midfielder; Walle, the playmaker, Jack Clarke; Azon.
Subs: The goalkeeper, Young, the midfielder, Humphreys, the midfielder, the winger, McAteer, Philogene-Bidace, Akpom.
Referee Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Afcon 2025: Group A Scenarios
It's a tricky picture. That's often the case when some but not all third-placed teams progress. Here’s how things look before tonight’s final round of games.
- Morocco 4pts, GD+2
- The Eagles 2 points, GD0 (with 2 goals for)
- Zambia 2pts, 0 goal difference (goals scored 1)
- The Coelacanths 1 point, -2 goal difference
To summarize, Morocco are probably fine though they will aim to defeat their opponents to top their pool. Zambia likely requires at least a point versus the hosts. Comoros probably must to overcome Mali, who should advance if they get a draw.
Many possibilities, various outcomes, plenty of scenarios.
Angola v Egypt Update
The conclusion of the second group at the 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 |
