The Sky Blues v Ipswich, The Foxes versus The Rams, along with Additional Football League Previews
Greetings to a busy evening of EFL as well as international soccer fixtures. The spotlight falls on important second-tier clashes and the pivotal last pool games in this Afcon tournament.
Opening Notes
Oh, hi folks. Welcome to what is checks writing desk rota the penultimate football clockwatch of the year. We have an extensive Football League programme, starting with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 18:00, while we will also monitor a close watch on the two evening games from Group A at the Afcon: Zambia against the hosts Morocco as well as Comoros v Mali.
Our primary attention will be on these matches, with 7.45pm kick-offs unless stated.
Afcon 2025
- The Coelacanths v The Eagles (7pm)
- The Copper Bullets v The Atlas Lions (7pm)
Second Division Matches
- The Sky Blues v Ipswich (18:00)
- The Foxes versus Derby
- Boro v The Tigers
- The Lions versus The Robins
- The Red Dragons v North End
Third Tier Fixture
- Cardiff v Stevenage
Latest Team News
Ipswich at Coventry Team News
The early game, between the teams who are top and third in the Championship, looks like a thriller. Here are the confirmed lineups.
Coventry City (a 4-2-3-1 formation) Rushworth; the right-back, the centre-back, the defender, Brau; Torp, the captain; Sakamoto, the attacking midfielder, Mason-Clark; Wright.
Subs: The backup keeper, the midfielder, the forward, Kesler-Hayden, the full-back, Latibeaudiere, Eccles, the youngster, the player.
Ipswich Town (a 4-2-3-1 setup) The shot-stopper; Furlong, O’Shea, Kipre, Greaves; Matusiwa, Taylor; Walle, the playmaker, the winger; Azon.
Substitutes: Palmer, the defender, Johnson, Humphreys, Cajuste, the winger, McAteer, the attacker, the striker.
Referee Anthony Backhouse (Cumbria).
Afcon 2025: First Group Scenarios
The situation is complex. That's often the case when some but not all third-place teams qualify. Here’s how things look ahead of this evening's final round of games.
- The Atlas Lions 4 points, +2 goal difference
- The Eagles 2pts, GD0 (goals scored 2)
- The Copper Bullets 2pts, 0 goal difference (with 1 goal for)
- The Coelacanths 1pt, GD-2
In short, Morocco is likely safe though they will aim to defeat Zambia and top their pool. Zambia probably need a draw or better against Morocco. Comoros likely need to beat Mali, who will probably be okay if they get a point.
A host of potential results and permutations.
Angola v Egypt Latest
The final act to the second group at this Africa Cup of Nations has coverage elsewhere. If you don’t want to know the score, don’t click the link.
Second Tier 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 |
