Coventry v Ipswich, Leicester against The Rams, along with More Football League Updates
Greetings for a full night of EFL as well as international football fixtures. Our focus includes important second-tier matches plus those crucial final group matches in this Afcon tournament.
Opening Notes
Greetings to all. Welcome to what is checks writing desk rota the penultimate soccer live blog of the year. We have a full EFL schedule, starting with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 18:00, while we’ll also be keeping a close watch on the two evening fixtures from the first group at this Africa Cup of Nations: Zambia against the hosts Morocco as well as Comoros v Mali.
We'll be focussing on these matches, with 19:45 start times except where noted.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- The Coelacanths versus Mali (7pm)
- Zambia v Morocco (19:00)
Second Division Matches
- Coventry v Ipswich (18:00)
- The Foxes v The Rams
- Boro v Hull
- The Lions v The Robins
- Wrexham versus North End
League One
- Cardiff versus Stevenage
Recent Lineup Updates
Coventry v Ipswich Team News
The evening's opener, between the teams who are top and third in the second tier, could be an exciting match. These are the starting elevens.
Coventry (a 4-2-3-1 formation) The goalkeeper; van Ewijk, the centre-back, the defender, the left-back; Torp, the captain; Sakamoto, Rudoni, the forward; Wright.
Substitutes: Wilson, Allen, Simms, the defender, Bidwell, Latibeaudiere, Eccles, Perry, Andrews.
Ipswich (4-2-3-1) The shot-stopper; the defender, the centre-half, Kipre, the left-back; Matusiwa, the midfielder; the attacker, the playmaker, the winger; the centre-forward.
Substitutes: The goalkeeper, Young, the midfielder, the defender, the midfielder, Burns, McAteer, the attacker, Akpom.
The official Backhouse (Cumbria).
Afcon 2025: Group A Permutations
Look, it’s complicated. That's often the case when some but not all third-place teams qualify. Here’s how things look ahead of tonight’s last set of matches.
- The Atlas Lions 4pts, +2 goal difference
- The Eagles 2 points, 0 goal difference (goals scored 2)
- Zambia 2 points, GD0 (with 1 goal for)
- Comoros 1pt, -2 goal difference
Briefly, Morocco is likely safe but will want to beat their opponents to win the group. Zambia likely requires a draw or better versus the hosts. Comoros likely need to beat Mali, who will probably be okay if they get a point.
A host of potential results and permutations.
Egypt's Match with Angola Update
The conclusion of Group B at this continental championship has coverage elsewhere. For those wishing to remain unaware, 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 |
