Coventry v Ipswich, Leicester against Derby, and More EFL Action Updates
Welcome to a packed evening of EFL and continental soccer action. Our focus includes major Championship clashes and those pivotal final pool games in the Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
Introduction
Greetings to all. Welcome to what is arguably this penultimate soccer live blog of the year. We have a full Football League schedule, kicking off with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 6pm, while we will also monitor at least a third of an eye on both evening games from the first group at this Africa Cup of Nations: Zambia against the hosts Morocco as well as Comoros v Mali.
Our primary attention will be on these games, with 19:45 start times unless stated.
Afcon 2025
- Comoros v The Eagles (7pm)
- The Copper Bullets versus Morocco (19:00)
Second Division Matches
- Coventry v The Tractor Boys (18:00)
- Leicester versus Derby
- Boro v Hull
- Millwall v Bristol City
- Wrexham v North End
League One
- The Bluebirds versus Stevenage
Recent Team News
Coventry v Ipswich Team News
The evening's opener, featuring the sides sitting top and third in the second tier, promises to be an exciting match. Here are the starting elevens.
Coventry City (4-2-3-1) The goalkeeper; van Ewijk, Woolfenden, the defender, Brau; Torp, Grimes; Sakamoto, Rudoni, Mason-Clark; Wright.
Substitutes: Wilson, the midfielder, Simms, the defender, Bidwell, the defender, Eccles, Perry, Andrews.
Ipswich (a 4-2-3-1 setup) The shot-stopper; the defender, the centre-half, the defender, Greaves; the midfielder, Taylor; Walle, the playmaker, Jack Clarke; Azon.
Substitutes: Palmer, the defender, the midfielder, the defender, Cajuste, the winger, the forward, the attacker, Akpom.
Referee Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: Group A Scenarios
The situation is complex. It always is where only some third-place teams progress. This is the current state before this evening's final set of matches.
- The Atlas Lions 4 points, +2 goal difference
- The Eagles 2pts, 0 goal difference (goals scored 2)
- Zambia 2 points, GD0 (goals scored 1)
- Comoros 1pt, -2 goal difference
Briefly, Morocco are probably fine though they will aim to beat Zambia to win their pool. Zambia likely requires at least a point against the hosts. Comoros likely need to overcome their rivals, who should advance if they get a draw.
Many possibilities, various outcomes, plenty of scenarios.
Angola v Egypt Latest
The denouement of the second group at the Africa Cup of Nations has coverage elsewhere. For those wishing to remain unaware, don’t click the link.
Championship 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 |
