The Sky Blues versus Ipswich, Leicester v Derby, along with More EFL Action Previews
Greetings for a packed evening of Football League and continental soccer fixtures. Our focus includes important second-tier encounters plus those pivotal final group games in the Africa Cup of Nations competition.
Opening Notes
Greetings to all. Welcome to what is arguably this second-to-last soccer clockwatch of the year. We have an extensive Football League slate, kicking off with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 18:00, while we will also monitor at least a third of an eye on the two evening fixtures from Group A at the Africa Cup of Nations: Morocco hosting Zambia as well as Mali facing Comoros.
We'll be focussing on these games, with 19:45 kick-offs unless stated.
Afcon 2025
- Comoros versus Mali (7pm)
- Zambia versus The Atlas Lions (19:00)
Championship
- The Sky Blues versus The Tractor Boys (6pm)
- The Foxes versus The Rams
- Boro versus Hull
- Millwall v The Robins
- Wrexham versus North End
League One
- Cardiff versus Stevenage
Latest Lineup Updates
Ipswich at Coventry Team News
The early game, featuring the sides sitting top and third in the second tier, looks like a cracker. These are the starting elevens.
Coventry (4-2-3-1) Rushworth; van Ewijk, Woolfenden, Kitching, Brau; the midfielder, the captain; the winger, Rudoni, Mason-Clark; the striker.
Subs: Wilson, the midfielder, Simms, the defender, the full-back, the defender, the midfielder, Perry, the player.
Ipswich Town (a 4-2-3-1 setup) Walton; Furlong, O’Shea, Kipre, Greaves; the midfielder, Taylor; Walle, the playmaker, Jack Clarke; the centre-forward.
Subs: Palmer, the defender, the midfielder, Humphreys, the midfielder, Burns, McAteer, Philogene-Bidace, the striker.
Referee Backhouse (Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: Group A Scenarios
Look, it’s complicated. It always is when some but not all third-placed sides progress. This is the current state before tonight’s final round of games.
- The Atlas Lions 4pts, +2 goal difference
- Mali 2pts, 0 goal difference (with 2 goals for)
- The Copper Bullets 2pts, 0 goal difference (with 1 goal for)
- The Coelacanths 1 point, GD-2
In short, Morocco is likely safe but will want to beat Zambia to win the group. Zambia probably need a draw or better against the hosts. The island nation probably need to beat Mali, who will probably be okay with a draw.
Many possibilities, various outcomes, plenty of scenarios.
Egypt's Match with Angola Update
The denouement to the second group at the Africa Cup of Nations is being covered. To avoid spoilers, it's best not to seek out that information.
Second Tier 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 |
