The Sky Blues versus Ipswich, The Foxes v The Rams, along with Additional EFL Action Updates
Greetings for the full night of EFL as well as international soccer action. The spotlight falls on key Championship encounters and those pivotal last group games in this Africa Cup of Nations competition.
Preamble
Oh, hi folks. Welcome to what is arguably this penultimate football live blog of the year. We have a full Football League slate, starting with Coventry v Ipswich at 6pm, while we’ll also be keeping a close watch on both night fixtures from the first group at this Afcon: Morocco hosting Zambia as well as Mali facing Comoros.
We'll be focussing on these fixtures, with 7.45pm start times unless stated.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- The Coelacanths v Mali (7pm)
- Zambia versus The Atlas Lions (19:00)
Championship
- The Sky Blues v The Tractor Boys (6pm)
- The Foxes v The Rams
- Middlesbrough versus Hull
- The Lions versus The Robins
- Wrexham versus Preston
League One
- The Bluebirds versus Stevenage
Latest Team News
Coventry v Ipswich Confirmed Lineups
The evening's opener, featuring the sides sitting first and third in the second tier, looks like a thriller. Here are the starting elevens.
Coventry City (a 4-2-3-1 formation) The goalkeeper; van Ewijk, Woolfenden, Kitching, the left-back; Torp, the captain; Sakamoto, Rudoni, Mason-Clark; the striker.
Subs: Wilson, Allen, the forward, Kesler-Hayden, Bidwell, Latibeaudiere, Eccles, Perry, the player.
Ipswich Town (a 4-2-3-1 setup) The shot-stopper; Furlong, the centre-half, the defender, Greaves; the midfielder, Taylor; the attacker, Nunez, Jack Clarke; Azon.
Subs: Palmer, the defender, Johnson, Humphreys, Cajuste, the winger, McAteer, Philogene-Bidace, the striker.
The official Backhouse (Cumbria).
Afcon 2025: First Group Permutations
The situation is complex. That's often the case where only some third-place teams qualify. This is the current state before tonight’s last round of games.
- Morocco 4pts, GD+2
- The Eagles 2 points, GD0 (with 2 goals for)
- The Copper Bullets 2pts, GD0 (goals scored 1)
- The Coelacanths 1pt, -2 goal difference
In short, Morocco are probably fine but will want to beat their opponents to win their pool. Zambia probably need at least a point versus the hosts. Comoros probably need to overcome Mali, who should advance if they get a draw.
Many possibilities, various outcomes, plenty of scenarios.
Angola v Egypt Update
The denouement to Group B at this continental championship is being covered. If you don’t want to know the score, avoid following that coverage.
Second Tier Standings 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 |
