The Sky Blues v Ipswich, Leicester v Derby, and Additional Football League Updates
Greetings for the full night of EFL as well as international soccer action. Our focus includes important second-tier clashes and the crucial last pool games in this Afcon tournament.
Opening Notes
Hello everyone. You are welcome to the arguably the second-to-last football clockwatch of the year. We have a full EFL programme, kicking off with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 6pm, and we’ll also be keeping a close watch on the two night fixtures from Group A at this Africa Cup of Nations: Zambia against the hosts Morocco and Mali facing Comoros.
Our primary attention will be on the following matches, all 7.45pm start times unless stated.
Afcon 2025
- The Coelacanths v Mali (19:00)
- Zambia v Morocco (19:00)
Second Division Matches
- The Sky Blues versus Ipswich (6pm)
- Leicester v The Rams
- Boro v The Tigers
- The Lions versus The Robins
- The Red Dragons versus North End
Third Tier Fixture
- Cardiff versus Stevenage
Recent Team News
Ipswich at Coventry Team News
The early game, featuring the sides sitting first and third in the Championship, looks like an exciting match. These are the two XIs.
Coventry (a 4-2-3-1 formation) Rushworth; van Ewijk, Woolfenden, Kitching, the left-back; Torp, the captain; Sakamoto, the attacking midfielder, Mason-Clark; Wright.
Substitutes: The backup keeper, Allen, the forward, Kesler-Hayden, the full-back, the defender, the midfielder, the youngster, the player.
Ipswich (a 4-2-3-1 setup) The shot-stopper; the defender, O’Shea, the defender, the left-back; Matusiwa, the midfielder; the attacker, Nunez, Jack Clarke; the centre-forward.
Substitutes: The goalkeeper, the defender, the midfielder, the defender, Cajuste, the winger, McAteer, the attacker, Akpom.
The official Anthony Backhouse (Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: Group A Permutations
It's a tricky picture. That's often the case where only some third-place teams qualify. Here’s how things look ahead of this evening's final set of matches.
- Morocco 4pts, +2 goal difference
- The Eagles 2 points, GD0 (goals scored 2)
- Zambia 2 points, GD0 (with 1 goal for)
- Comoros 1 point, -2 goal difference
Briefly, Morocco are probably fine but will want to defeat Zambia to top their pool. Zambia likely requires at least a point against Morocco. The island nation probably need to beat Mali, who should advance with a point.
Many possibilities, various outcomes, plenty of scenarios.
Angola v Egypt Update
The denouement of Group B at this continental championship is being covered. To avoid spoilers, don’t click the link.
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 |
