The Sky Blues against Ipswich, The Foxes against The Rams, and More Football Action Previews
Greetings for a busy evening of EFL and international football fixtures. The spotlight falls on key Championship clashes and the pivotal final group games in this Africa Cup of Nations competition.
Preamble
Greetings to all. Welcome to what is checks writing desk rota the penultimate football live blog of the year. We have an extensive Football League schedule, starting with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 18:00, while we will also monitor a close watch on the two night games from the first group at the Afcon: Zambia against the hosts Morocco and Comoros v Mali.
We'll be focussing on the following games, all 7.45pm start times unless stated.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- Comoros v Mali (7pm)
- Zambia versus Morocco (7pm)
Championship
- Coventry v Ipswich (18:00)
- The Foxes v The Rams
- Boro versus Hull
- Millwall v The Robins
- Wrexham v Preston
League One
- The Bluebirds v Stevenage
Recent Team News
Ipswich at Coventry Confirmed Lineups
The evening's opener, featuring the sides sitting first and third in the Championship, promises to be an exciting match. Here are the two XIs.
Coventry City (4-2-3-1) The goalkeeper; van Ewijk, the centre-back, Kitching, Brau; the midfielder, Grimes; the winger, the attacking midfielder, Mason-Clark; the striker.
Substitutes: Wilson, the midfielder, Simms, the defender, the full-back, the defender, Eccles, the youngster, Andrews.
Ipswich (4-2-3-1) The shot-stopper; Furlong, O’Shea, Kipre, Greaves; the midfielder, Taylor; Walle, the playmaker, Jack Clarke; Azon.
Subs: The goalkeeper, Young, the midfielder, the defender, Cajuste, Burns, the forward, Philogene-Bidace, Akpom.
Referee Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Afcon 2025: Group A Permutations
The situation is complex. It always is where only some third-placed sides progress. Here’s how things look before tonight’s final round of matches.
- The Atlas Lions 4 points, GD+2
- Mali 2pts, 0 goal difference (with 2 goals for)
- The Copper Bullets 2pts, GD0 (goals scored 1)
- Comoros 1 point, -2 goal difference
To summarize, Morocco is likely safe though they will aim to beat their opponents to win their pool. Zambia probably need at least a point versus the hosts. The island nation probably need to overcome Mali, who should advance if they get a point.
Many possibilities, various outcomes, plenty of scenarios.
Angola v Egypt Latest
The final act to Group B at the continental championship is being covered. To avoid spoilers, it's best not to seek out that information.
Championship 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 |
