The Sky Blues against Ipswich, Leicester against The Rams, and More Football League Updates
Welcome to the full evening of EFL and continental football action. Our focus includes major second-tier clashes plus the crucial final group games in the Africa Cup of Nations competition.
Opening Notes
Hello everyone. Welcome to what is checks writing desk rota this penultimate football live blog of the year. We have a full Football League slate, starting with Coventry v Ipswich at 18:00, while we’ll also be keeping at least a third of an eye on the two night games from the first group at the Afcon: Zambia against the hosts Morocco as well as Mali facing Comoros.
Our primary attention will be on these matches, all 7.45pm start times except where noted.
Afcon 2025
- Comoros versus The Eagles (19:00)
- The Copper Bullets versus Morocco (19:00)
Second Division Matches
- Coventry v The Tractor Boys (18:00)
- Leicester v Derby
- Boro v Hull
- The Lions versus The Robins
- Wrexham v Preston
Third Tier Fixture
- The Bluebirds versus Stevenage
Recent Team News
Coventry v Ipswich Confirmed Lineups
The early game, featuring the sides sitting top and third in the second tier, looks like a thriller. Here are the confirmed lineups.
Coventry (a 4-2-3-1 formation) Rushworth; van Ewijk, Woolfenden, Kitching, the left-back; the midfielder, Grimes; the winger, the attacking midfielder, Mason-Clark; the striker.
Substitutes: Wilson, Allen, the forward, the defender, the full-back, Latibeaudiere, Eccles, Perry, the player.
Ipswich (a 4-2-3-1 setup) Walton; the defender, the centre-half, the defender, Greaves; Matusiwa, the midfielder; Walle, the playmaker, the winger; Azon.
Subs: Palmer, the defender, Johnson, the defender, Cajuste, the winger, McAteer, Philogene-Bidace, Akpom.
The official Anthony Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: Group A Scenarios
Look, it’s complicated. It always is where only some third-place teams qualify. This is the current state ahead of tonight’s last round of games.
- The Atlas Lions 4 points, +2 goal difference
- Mali 2pts, GD0 (with 2 goals for)
- Zambia 2 points, GD0 (with 1 goal for)
- Comoros 1pt, -2 goal difference
In short, Morocco are probably fine though they will aim to beat their opponents to win their pool. Zambia probably need a draw or better against Morocco. Comoros probably must to beat Mali, who should advance if they get a point.
Many possibilities, various outcomes, plenty of scenarios.
Egypt's Match with Angola Latest
The conclusion of the second group at the continental championship has coverage elsewhere. To avoid spoilers, avoid following that coverage.
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 |
