The Sky Blues versus The Tractor Boys, The Foxes against The Rams, along with Additional EFL League Updates
Hello for a packed night of Football League and international soccer action. We'll be covering key Championship encounters and those crucial final group matches in this Afcon competition.
Opening Notes
Oh, hi folks. Welcome to what is arguably this penultimate soccer clockwatch of the year. We have a full Football League schedule, starting with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 6pm, and we will also monitor at least a third of an eye on both evening games from the first group at this Afcon: Morocco hosting Zambia and Mali facing Comoros.
Our primary attention will be on the following fixtures, all 19:45 start times unless stated.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- Comoros versus The Eagles (19:00)
- Zambia v Morocco (19:00)
Championship
- Coventry versus The Tractor Boys (18:00)
- Leicester versus The Rams
- Boro v Hull
- Millwall v Bristol City
- The Red Dragons v Preston
Third Tier Fixture
- The Bluebirds v Boro
Latest Lineup Updates
Ipswich at Coventry Confirmed Lineups
The early game, between the teams who are top and third in the second tier, promises to be a cracker. Here are the starting elevens.
Coventry (a 4-2-3-1 formation) The goalkeeper; van Ewijk, the centre-back, the defender, Brau; Torp, the captain; the winger, the attacking midfielder, Mason-Clark; the striker.
Subs: The backup keeper, Allen, the forward, Kesler-Hayden, Bidwell, Latibeaudiere, the midfielder, the youngster, Andrews.
Ipswich (a 4-2-3-1 setup) The shot-stopper; the defender, the centre-half, Kipre, Greaves; Matusiwa, the midfielder; Walle, the playmaker, Jack Clarke; Azon.
Subs: Palmer, the defender, Johnson, the defender, the midfielder, the winger, McAteer, Philogene-Bidace, the striker.
The official Backhouse (Cumbria).
Afcon 2025: Group A Permutations
It's a tricky picture. It always is when some but not all third-placed teams qualify. Here’s how things look ahead of this evening's final set of games.
- The Atlas Lions 4 points, +2 goal difference
- The Eagles 2 points, 0 goal difference (with 2 goals for)
- Zambia 2 points, GD0 (with 1 goal for)
- The Coelacanths 1pt, GD-2
To summarize, Morocco is likely safe but will want to beat their opponents to win the group. Zambia probably need at least a point versus the hosts. Comoros probably must to overcome Mali, who will probably be okay if they get a point.
Many possibilities, various outcomes, plenty of scenarios.
Egypt's Match with Angola Update
The conclusion to Group B at the Africa Cup of Nations is being covered. To avoid spoilers, 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 |
