Coventry against The Tractor Boys, The Foxes v Derby, and Additional EFL League Updates
Hello to a full night of EFL and international soccer fixtures. We'll be covering major Championship matches and the crucial last group matches in this Afcon tournament.
Opening Notes
Greetings to all. Welcome to what is reportedly this second-to-last soccer clockwatch of the year. There’s an extensive Football League programme, starting with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 6pm, while we will also monitor a close watch on the two evening games from Group A at the Afcon: Zambia against the hosts Morocco and Comoros v Mali.
We'll be focussing on the following fixtures, all 7.45pm start times unless stated.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- Comoros v Mali (19:00)
- Zambia versus The Atlas Lions (7pm)
Second Division Matches
- The Sky Blues v The Tractor Boys (6pm)
- Leicester v Derby
- Boro versus The Tigers
- The Lions v The Robins
- The Red Dragons versus North End
League One
- Cardiff v Boro
Latest Team News
Coventry v Ipswich Confirmed Lineups
The evening's opener, between the teams who are first and third in the Championship, could be a thriller. Here are the starting elevens.
Coventry City (4-2-3-1) The goalkeeper; the right-back, the centre-back, Kitching, Brau; Torp, Grimes; Sakamoto, Rudoni, Mason-Clark; the striker.
Subs: The backup keeper, Allen, Simms, the defender, the full-back, Latibeaudiere, the midfielder, Perry, Andrews.
Ipswich (4-2-3-1) Walton; the defender, O’Shea, the defender, Greaves; Matusiwa, the midfielder; the attacker, Nunez, the winger; the centre-forward.
Subs: The goalkeeper, the defender, the midfielder, Humphreys, Cajuste, Burns, McAteer, Philogene-Bidace, Akpom.
The official Anthony Backhouse (Cumbria).
Afcon 2025: Group A Permutations
The situation is complex. That's often the case when some but not all third-placed sides progress. This is the current state before tonight’s last set of games.
- The Atlas Lions 4pts, GD+2
- Mali 2 points, 0 goal difference (goals scored 2)
- Zambia 2 points, GD0 (with 1 goal for)
- The Coelacanths 1pt, -2 goal difference
Briefly, Morocco are probably fine but will want to defeat Zambia to top the group. Zambia probably need a draw or better against Morocco. The island nation likely need to overcome Mali, who will probably be okay if they get a point.
Lotta ins, lotta outs, lotta what-have-yous.
Egypt's Match with Angola Latest
The denouement of the second group at this Africa Cup of Nations is being covered. For those wishing to remain unaware, it's best not to seek out that information.
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 |
