The Sky Blues versus Ipswich, The Foxes v Derby, and More EFL Action Previews
Hello to a packed evening of Football League and international soccer action. The spotlight falls on key Championship encounters and the crucial final pool games in this Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
Introduction
Greetings to all. Welcome to the reportedly this second-to-last soccer live blog of the year. We have a full Football League schedule, kicking off with Coventry v Ipswich at 6pm, and we’ll also be keeping a close watch on both night fixtures from Group A at this Africa Cup of Nations: Zambia against the hosts Morocco as well as Comoros v Mali.
Our primary attention will be on the following games, all 19:45 start times except where noted.
Afcon 2025
- Comoros versus Mali (7pm)
- The Copper Bullets versus Morocco (7pm)
Second Division Matches
- Coventry v Ipswich (18:00)
- Leicester versus The Rams
- Boro versus The Tigers
- The Lions versus The Robins
- The Red Dragons v Preston
Third Tier Fixture
- The Bluebirds v Stevenage
Latest Team News
Ipswich at Coventry Confirmed Lineups
The early game, between the teams who are top and third in the second tier, promises to be an exciting match. These are the two XIs.
Coventry City (4-2-3-1) The goalkeeper; the right-back, Woolfenden, Kitching, the left-back; Torp, the captain; Sakamoto, Rudoni, Mason-Clark; the striker.
Subs: Wilson, Allen, Simms, Kesler-Hayden, the full-back, Latibeaudiere, Eccles, the youngster, Andrews.
Ipswich (4-2-3-1) Walton; the defender, O’Shea, Kipre, the left-back; Matusiwa, Taylor; the attacker, Nunez, the winger; Azon.
Subs: Palmer, Young, Johnson, the defender, Cajuste, the winger, McAteer, Philogene-Bidace, Akpom.
Referee Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Afcon 2025: First Group Permutations
The situation is complex. That's often the case when some but not all third-placed sides progress. This is the current state ahead of tonight’s last set of matches.
- The Atlas Lions 4pts, +2 goal difference
- Mali 2pts, 0 goal difference (with 2 goals for)
- The Copper Bullets 2pts, 0 goal difference (with 1 goal for)
- The Coelacanths 1pt, -2 goal difference
To summarize, Morocco is likely safe but will want to beat Zambia and top the group. Zambia probably need at least a point versus the hosts. The island nation probably need to beat their rivals, who should advance if they get a point.
Lotta ins, lotta outs, lotta what-have-yous.
Angola v Egypt Update
The denouement of Group B at the continental championship is being covered. For those wishing to remain unaware, don’t click the link.
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 |
