Coventry against The Tractor Boys, The Foxes against Derby, along with More Football Action Updates
Greetings to the full evening of EFL and continental football action. Our focus includes important Championship encounters and the pivotal last pool games in the Afcon competition.
Introduction
Oh, hi folks. Welcome to the arguably this second-to-last football clockwatch of the year. There’s a full Football League schedule, starting with Coventry v Ipswich at 18:00, and we’ll also be keeping at least a third of an eye on the two evening fixtures from the first group at this Afcon: Zambia against the hosts Morocco and Comoros v Mali.
Our primary attention will be on the following fixtures, all 19:45 start times except where noted.
Afcon 2025
- Comoros versus Mali (7pm)
- Zambia v The Atlas Lions (7pm)
Championship
- Coventry versus Ipswich (6pm)
- Leicester versus The Rams
- Middlesbrough v Hull
- The Lions versus The Robins
- Wrexham v North End
League One
- Cardiff versus Boro
Recent Lineup Updates
Ipswich at Coventry Confirmed Lineups
The evening's opener, between the teams who are top and third in the Championship, looks like a thriller. These are the two XIs.
Coventry (4-2-3-1) Rushworth; van Ewijk, the centre-back, Kitching, the left-back; the midfielder, the captain; the winger, the attacking midfielder, the forward; Wright.
Subs: The backup keeper, Allen, the forward, Kesler-Hayden, the full-back, Latibeaudiere, Eccles, the youngster, the player.
Ipswich (a 4-2-3-1 setup) The shot-stopper; Furlong, O’Shea, the defender, Greaves; the midfielder, Taylor; the attacker, the playmaker, the winger; the centre-forward.
Subs: Palmer, Young, Johnson, Humphreys, Cajuste, the winger, McAteer, the attacker, the striker.
Referee Anthony Backhouse (Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: First Group Permutations
The situation is complex. It always is where only some third-placed teams qualify. This is the current state ahead of this evening's final set of games.
- The Atlas Lions 4pts, +2 goal difference
- Mali 2pts, 0 goal difference (goals scored 2)
- The Copper Bullets 2 points, GD0 (with 1 goal for)
- Comoros 1 point, GD-2
Briefly, Morocco are probably fine though they will aim to beat their opponents to win the group. Zambia likely requires a draw or better against the hosts. Comoros probably must to beat their rivals, who will probably be okay with a point.
A host of potential results and permutations.
Egypt's Match with Angola Latest
The final act to Group B at this continental championship is being covered. For those wishing to remain unaware, 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 |
