Coventry versus The Tractor Boys, The Foxes v Derby, along with Additional EFL League Previews
Greetings to a packed night of EFL and international soccer action. The spotlight falls on key second-tier encounters and those pivotal last group games in the Afcon competition.
Preamble
Oh, hi folks. You are welcome to the reportedly this second-to-last football live blog of the year. We have a full EFL programme, starting with Coventry v Ipswich at 6pm, and we’ll also be keeping at least a third of an eye on the two night games from the first group at the Afcon: Zambia against the hosts Morocco as well as Comoros v Mali.
We'll be focussing on these games, all 7.45pm kick-offs except where noted.
Afcon 2025
- The Coelacanths versus The Eagles (7pm)
- Zambia v Morocco (19:00)
Championship
- The Sky Blues versus The Tractor Boys (18:00)
- Leicester v The Rams
- Middlesbrough versus Hull
- Millwall versus Bristol City
- The Red Dragons versus North End
Third Tier Fixture
- Cardiff versus Boro
Latest Lineup Updates
Ipswich at Coventry Team News
The early game, featuring the sides sitting top and third in the Championship, could be a cracker. Here are the starting elevens.
Coventry (a 4-2-3-1 formation) The goalkeeper; the right-back, the centre-back, the defender, Brau; Torp, the captain; Sakamoto, Rudoni, Mason-Clark; the striker.
Subs: Wilson, the midfielder, Simms, Kesler-Hayden, Bidwell, Latibeaudiere, Eccles, the youngster, Andrews.
Ipswich (a 4-2-3-1 setup) Walton; the defender, the centre-half, Kipre, the left-back; Matusiwa, the midfielder; Walle, the playmaker, the winger; the centre-forward.
Subs: Palmer, the defender, Johnson, the defender, the midfielder, the winger, the forward, the attacker, Akpom.
The official Anthony Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: First Group Permutations
It's a tricky picture. It always is where only some third-placed sides qualify. This is the current state ahead of this evening's last round of matches.
- The Atlas Lions 4pts, +2 goal difference
- Mali 2 points, 0 goal difference (with 2 goals for)
- Zambia 2 points, GD0 (with 1 goal for)
- The Coelacanths 1 point, -2 goal difference
In short, Morocco is likely safe though they will aim to beat Zambia to win their pool. Zambia likely requires at least a point against Morocco. Comoros probably must to overcome their rivals, who should advance if they get a point.
Lotta ins, lotta outs, lotta what-have-yous.
Angola v Egypt Update
The denouement of the second group at the Africa Cup of Nations is being covered. To avoid spoilers, don’t click the link.
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 |
