The Sky Blues v Ipswich, The Foxes v The Rams, and Additional EFL Action Previews
Hello for a packed evening of EFL and continental football action. We'll be covering important second-tier clashes and those pivotal final pool matches in this Afcon competition.
Preamble
Hello everyone. Welcome to what is reportedly this second-to-last football live blog of the year. There’s a full EFL slate, starting with Coventry v Ipswich at 18:00, and we will also monitor at least a third of an eye on both night games from the first group at the Afcon: Morocco hosting Zambia and Mali facing Comoros.
We'll be focussing on the following matches, with 7.45pm start times except where noted.
Afcon 2025
- Comoros v Mali (19:00)
- The Copper Bullets v The Atlas Lions (19:00)
Championship
- Coventry v Ipswich (18:00)
- The Foxes versus The Rams
- Boro versus The Tigers
- Millwall versus Bristol City
- Wrexham v Preston
League One
- Cardiff versus Boro
Recent Lineup Updates
Ipswich at Coventry Confirmed Lineups
The evening's opener, between the teams who are first and third in the second tier, could be a cracker. Here are the two XIs.
Coventry (4-2-3-1) Rushworth; the right-back, Woolfenden, the defender, the left-back; Torp, Grimes; the winger, the attacking midfielder, the forward; the striker.
Substitutes: Wilson, Allen, Simms, the defender, Bidwell, the defender, the midfielder, Perry, the player.
Ipswich (4-2-3-1) Walton; Furlong, the centre-half, the defender, the left-back; the midfielder, the midfielder; Walle, the playmaker, Jack Clarke; Azon.
Substitutes: Palmer, the defender, Johnson, the defender, the midfielder, Burns, the forward, the attacker, the striker.
The official Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: Group A Scenarios
Look, it’s complicated. It always is when some but not all third-placed sides qualify. This is the current state before tonight’s last set of matches.
- The Atlas Lions 4 points, +2 goal difference
- The Eagles 2pts, GD0 (goals scored 2)
- Zambia 2pts, GD0 (with 1 goal for)
- The Coelacanths 1 point, GD-2
Briefly, Morocco is likely safe though they will aim to defeat Zambia and win the group. Zambia likely requires at least a point versus the hosts. Comoros probably need to overcome Mali, who should advance if they get a point.
Many possibilities, various outcomes, plenty of scenarios.
Angola v Egypt Update
The conclusion to Group B at the continental championship has coverage elsewhere. If you don’t want to know the score, 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 |
