Coventry versus Ipswich, Leicester v The Rams, along with Additional EFL Action Updates
Welcome to a full night of EFL and continental football action. We'll be covering important second-tier matches plus those crucial final group games in the Africa Cup of Nations competition.
Preamble
Greetings to all. Welcome to what is reportedly the penultimate soccer clockwatch of the year. We have an extensive Football League programme, starting with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 18:00, and we will also monitor a close watch on the two evening fixtures from Group A at this Afcon: Zambia against the hosts Morocco and Mali facing Comoros.
We'll be focussing on these matches, with 7.45pm kick-offs except where noted.
Afcon 2025
- The Coelacanths versus Mali (7pm)
- Zambia v The Atlas Lions (7pm)
Second Division Matches
- Coventry versus Ipswich (6pm)
- Leicester versus The Rams
- Boro versus Hull
- The Lions v The Robins
- The Red Dragons versus North End
League One
- The Bluebirds v Stevenage
Recent Lineup Updates
Ipswich at Coventry Confirmed Lineups
The early game, between the teams who are first and third in the Championship, could be a thriller. Here are the two XIs.
Coventry City (4-2-3-1) Rushworth; the right-back, Woolfenden, Kitching, Brau; Torp, Grimes; Sakamoto, Rudoni, Mason-Clark; the striker.
Subs: Wilson, Allen, the forward, the defender, Bidwell, the defender, the midfielder, the youngster, the player.
Ipswich (4-2-3-1) Walton; the defender, the centre-half, Kipre, the left-back; Matusiwa, Taylor; the attacker, the playmaker, the winger; Azon.
Substitutes: The goalkeeper, Young, Johnson, the defender, the midfielder, Burns, the forward, the attacker, Akpom.
Referee Anthony Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Afcon 2025: First Group Scenarios
The situation is complex. It always is when some but not all third-placed sides progress. This is the current state before tonight’s last round of games.
- The Atlas Lions 4 points, +2 goal difference
- Mali 2pts, GD0 (goals scored 2)
- Zambia 2pts, GD0 (goals scored 1)
- The Coelacanths 1pt, -2 goal difference
Briefly, Morocco are probably fine but will want to defeat Zambia to top their pool. Zambia probably need at least a point against Morocco. Comoros probably need to overcome Mali, who should advance if they get a point.
Lotta ins, lotta outs, lotta what-have-yous.
Angola v Egypt Latest
The denouement of the second group at the continental championship is being covered. To avoid spoilers, avoid following that coverage.
Championship Standings 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 |
