Coventry versus The Tractor Boys, Leicester v Derby, and More Football League Previews
Hello to the busy night of Football League and continental soccer fixtures. The spotlight falls on important second-tier encounters plus those crucial final pool matches in this Afcon tournament.
Opening Notes
Greetings to all. Welcome to the reportedly this second-to-last soccer live blog of the year. There’s an extensive EFL programme, kicking off with Coventry v Ipswich at 18:00, and we will also monitor at least a third of an eye on both night fixtures from the first group at this Africa Cup of Nations: Morocco hosting Zambia and Mali facing Comoros.
Our primary attention will be on the following matches, all 7.45pm kick-offs except where noted.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- Comoros versus Mali (19:00)
- Zambia versus The Atlas Lions (19:00)
Second Division Matches
- The Sky Blues v Ipswich (6pm)
- The Foxes versus The Rams
- Boro versus The Tigers
- The Lions versus Bristol City
- Wrexham v North End
League One
- The Bluebirds v Stevenage
Latest Lineup Updates
Coventry v Ipswich Team News
The evening's opener, featuring the sides sitting first and third in the second tier, could be a thriller. Here are the starting elevens.
Coventry City (a 4-2-3-1 formation) The goalkeeper; the right-back, Woolfenden, the defender, the left-back; the midfielder, Grimes; the winger, the attacking midfielder, the forward; the striker.
Subs: The backup keeper, Allen, the forward, the defender, Bidwell, the defender, Eccles, the youngster, the player.
Ipswich Town (a 4-2-3-1 setup) The shot-stopper; Furlong, O’Shea, the defender, the left-back; the midfielder, Taylor; Walle, Nunez, Jack Clarke; the centre-forward.
Substitutes: Palmer, the defender, Johnson, Humphreys, Cajuste, the winger, McAteer, Philogene-Bidace, Akpom.
The official Anthony Backhouse (Cumbria).
Afcon 2025: Group A Permutations
The situation is complex. That's often the case where only some third-placed sides qualify. Here’s how things look before tonight’s final round of matches.
- The Atlas Lions 4pts, GD+2
- Mali 2 points, 0 goal difference (goals scored 2)
- The Copper Bullets 2 points, GD0 (with 1 goal for)
- Comoros 1pt, GD-2
To summarize, Morocco is likely safe though they will aim to defeat their opponents to win their pool. Zambia probably need a draw or better against Morocco. The island nation likely must to beat Mali, who should advance if they get a draw.
Many possibilities, various outcomes, plenty of scenarios.
Angola v Egypt Update
The final act to Group B at this continental championship is being covered. To avoid spoilers, avoid following that coverage.
Championship 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 |
