The Sky Blues v The Tractor Boys, Leicester versus The Rams, along with More EFL Action Previews
Welcome for a packed night of Football League as well as continental soccer action. Our focus includes major second-tier encounters plus those crucial final group matches in the Afcon competition.
Opening Notes
Oh, hi folks. You are welcome to what is reportedly this second-to-last soccer live blog of the year. There’s an extensive Football League slate, kicking off with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 6pm, while we’ll also be keeping at least a third of an eye on the two evening games from the first group at this Africa Cup of Nations: Morocco hosting Zambia and Comoros v Mali.
Our primary attention will be on these matches, all 7.45pm start times except where noted.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- Comoros versus The Eagles (7pm)
- The Copper Bullets v The Atlas Lions (19:00)
Championship
- The Sky Blues v Ipswich (6pm)
- Leicester versus The Rams
- Middlesbrough versus The Tigers
- Millwall versus The Robins
- The Red Dragons v Preston
Third Tier Fixture
- The Bluebirds v Stevenage
Latest Lineup Updates
Coventry v Ipswich Confirmed Lineups
The evening's opener, featuring the sides sitting first and third in the second tier, promises to be an exciting match. Here are the starting elevens.
Coventry City (4-2-3-1) Rushworth; van Ewijk, Woolfenden, Kitching, the left-back; the midfielder, the captain; Sakamoto, Rudoni, the forward; Wright.
Subs: The backup keeper, Allen, the forward, Kesler-Hayden, Bidwell, Latibeaudiere, Eccles, the youngster, the player.
Ipswich (4-2-3-1) Walton; Furlong, O’Shea, Kipre, the left-back; Matusiwa, the midfielder; the attacker, Nunez, Jack Clarke; the centre-forward.
Substitutes: Palmer, the defender, Johnson, Humphreys, the midfielder, Burns, McAteer, the attacker, Akpom.
Referee Backhouse (Cumbria).
Afcon 2025: First Group Scenarios
It's a tricky picture. It always is when some but not all third-placed sides progress. This is the current state before this evening's last set of matches.
- The Atlas Lions 4pts, +2 goal difference
- Mali 2pts, GD0 (goals scored 2)
- Zambia 2 points, GD0 (with 1 goal for)
- The Coelacanths 1pt, -2 goal difference
In short, Morocco are probably fine but will want to beat their opponents and top their pool. Zambia probably need a draw or better versus Morocco. The island nation probably need to overcome their rivals, who will probably be okay if they get a draw.
A host of potential results and permutations.
Egypt's Match with Angola Update
The conclusion to Group B at this Africa Cup of Nations has coverage elsewhere. To avoid spoilers, it's best not to seek out that information.
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 |
