The Sky Blues against Ipswich, Leicester v The Rams, and More EFL Action Previews

Greetings to the full evening of EFL and international soccer fixtures. Our focus includes key second-tier matches and the crucial final pool matches in this Afcon competition.

Opening Notes

Hello everyone. Welcome to what is reportedly the penultimate soccer clockwatch of the year. We have a full Football League slate, starting with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 6pm, while we’ll also be keeping a close watch on the two night fixtures from the first group at the Afcon: Zambia against the hosts Morocco as well as Comoros v Mali.

We'll be focussing on the following games, with 19:45 kick-offs except where noted.

Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures

  • The Coelacanths versus The Eagles (19:00)
  • Zambia versus The Atlas Lions (19:00)

Second Division Matches

  • The Sky Blues versus Ipswich (6pm)
  • Leicester versus Derby
  • Middlesbrough versus The Tigers
  • Millwall versus The Robins
  • Wrexham versus North End

League One

  • Cardiff v Stevenage

Latest Lineup Updates

Coventry v Ipswich Confirmed Lineups

The evening's opener, between the teams who are first and third in the second tier, looks like a cracker. Here are the confirmed lineups.

Coventry (4-2-3-1) The goalkeeper; van Ewijk, the centre-back, the defender, the left-back; Torp, Grimes; the winger, Rudoni, the forward; Wright.

Substitutes: Wilson, Allen, the forward, Kesler-Hayden, Bidwell, the defender, the midfielder, the youngster, the player.

Ipswich Town (a 4-2-3-1 setup) Walton; Furlong, the centre-half, Kipre, the left-back; the midfielder, Taylor; Walle, Nunez, Jack Clarke; the centre-forward.

Substitutes: Palmer, Young, the midfielder, Humphreys, Cajuste, Burns, the forward, Philogene-Bidace, the striker.

Referee Backhouse (Cumbria).

Afcon 2025: Group A Scenarios

It's a tricky picture. That's often the case where only some third-place sides progress. This is the current state before this evening's last set of matches.

  • Morocco 4pts, GD+2
  • Mali 2pts, 0 goal difference (with 2 goals for)
  • The Copper Bullets 2 points, GD0 (with 1 goal for)
  • Comoros 1 point, GD-2

Briefly, Morocco is likely safe but will want to defeat their opponents to win the group. Zambia probably need a draw or better against the hosts. The island nation probably need to beat their rivals, who should advance if they get a point.

A host of potential results and permutations.

Angola v Egypt Latest

The conclusion to Group B at this Africa Cup of Nations has coverage elsewhere. For those wishing to remain unaware, avoid following that coverage.

Championship Table Overview

Pos Team P GD Pts
1Coventry233151
2Middlesbrough23943
3Ipswich231538
4Hull23238
5Preston North End23737
6Bristol City23736
7Millwall23-636
8Watford23435
9QPR23-235
10Stoke23734
11Derby23132
12Southampton23431
13Wrexham23231
14Leicester23-131
15Birmingham23130
16West Brom23-528
17Charlton22-627
18Blackburn22-426
19Sheff Utd23-526
20Swansea23-726
21Oxford Utd23-822
22Portsmouth22-1022
23Norwich23-921
24Sheff Wed22-27-8
Peter Davidson
Peter Davidson

Elena is a passionate storyteller and writing coach, dedicated to helping others find their voice through engaging narratives.