The Sky Blues v Ipswich, The Foxes v The Rams, and Additional EFL Action Previews
Hello to the busy night of EFL as well as continental soccer fixtures. The spotlight falls on key Championship clashes plus those crucial last pool games in the Afcon competition.
Preamble
Greetings to all. You are welcome to the checks writing desk rota this penultimate football clockwatch of the year. We have an extensive EFL schedule, kicking off with Coventry v Ipswich at 18:00, and we will also monitor a close watch on the two night games from the first group at the Afcon: Morocco hosting Zambia and Mali facing Comoros.
Our primary attention will be on these fixtures, with 19:45 kick-offs unless stated.
Afcon 2025
- The Coelacanths v The Eagles (19:00)
- Zambia versus The Atlas Lions (19:00)
Championship
- Coventry versus Ipswich (18:00)
- Leicester versus Derby
- Boro versus Hull
- Millwall v The Robins
- Wrexham versus North End
League One
- The Bluebirds versus Boro
Recent Lineup Updates
Ipswich at Coventry Confirmed Lineups
The evening's opener, between the teams who are top and third in the second tier, looks like an exciting match. These are the starting elevens.
Coventry (4-2-3-1) The goalkeeper; the right-back, Woolfenden, Kitching, the left-back; the midfielder, the captain; Sakamoto, Rudoni, Mason-Clark; the striker.
Substitutes: Wilson, Allen, Simms, Kesler-Hayden, the full-back, Latibeaudiere, Eccles, Perry, the player.
Ipswich Town (4-2-3-1) The shot-stopper; the defender, the centre-half, Kipre, Greaves; the midfielder, the midfielder; the attacker, Nunez, the winger; the centre-forward.
Substitutes: Palmer, the defender, the midfielder, Humphreys, Cajuste, the winger, McAteer, the attacker, Akpom.
Referee Anthony Backhouse (Cumbria).
Afcon 2025: Group A Permutations
The situation is complex. It always is where only some third-place teams qualify. This is the current state before tonight’s last set of games.
- The Atlas Lions 4pts, GD+2
- Mali 2pts, GD0 (goals scored 2)
- The Copper Bullets 2pts, 0 goal difference (goals scored 1)
- The Coelacanths 1 point, -2 goal difference
To summarize, Morocco is likely safe but will want to beat Zambia and top the group. Zambia probably need a draw or better against the hosts. Comoros probably must to overcome Mali, who should advance if they get a draw.
A host of potential results and permutations.
Angola v Egypt Update
The final act to the second group at this Africa Cup of Nations has coverage elsewhere. To avoid spoilers, it's best not to seek out that information.
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 |
