Coventry v The Tractor Boys, Leicester v Derby, along with Additional Football League Updates
Welcome to the packed night of Football League as well as continental football action. The spotlight falls on important second-tier clashes and those pivotal final pool matches in this Afcon tournament.
Opening Notes
Oh, hi folks. Welcome to what is checks writing desk rota the second-to-last soccer clockwatch of the year. There’s an extensive Football League schedule, starting with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 6pm, and we will also monitor a close watch on both night games from the first group at this Afcon: Morocco hosting Zambia as well as Mali facing Comoros.
Our primary attention will be on these matches, all 7.45pm start times unless stated.
Afcon 2025
- Comoros v Mali (7pm)
- Zambia versus Morocco (19:00)
Second Division Matches
- The Sky Blues versus The Tractor Boys (18:00)
- Leicester versus Derby
- Boro v Hull
- Millwall v Bristol City
- The Red Dragons versus North End
League One
- Cardiff versus Boro
Latest Team News
Coventry v Ipswich Team News
The early game, featuring the sides sitting top and third in the second tier, could be a cracker. Here are the starting elevens.
Coventry City (a 4-2-3-1 formation) Rushworth; the right-back, the centre-back, Kitching, the left-back; the midfielder, Grimes; Sakamoto, Rudoni, the forward; the striker.
Subs: The backup keeper, Allen, the forward, Kesler-Hayden, Bidwell, Latibeaudiere, the midfielder, Perry, Andrews.
Ipswich (a 4-2-3-1 setup) The shot-stopper; the defender, the centre-half, Kipre, the left-back; Matusiwa, the midfielder; the attacker, the playmaker, the winger; Azon.
Substitutes: Palmer, the defender, the midfielder, Humphreys, the midfielder, Burns, McAteer, the attacker, Akpom.
The official Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: First Group Permutations
The situation is complex. That's often the case where only some third-placed teams qualify. This is the current state ahead of this evening's final set of games.
- The Atlas Lions 4pts, GD+2
- Mali 2pts, 0 goal difference (goals scored 2)
- The Copper Bullets 2 points, GD0 (goals scored 1)
- The Coelacanths 1 point, GD-2
Briefly, Morocco are probably fine though they will aim to beat Zambia and win the group. Zambia likely requires a draw or better versus Morocco. Comoros probably must to beat their rivals, who should advance with a point.
Many possibilities, various outcomes, plenty of scenarios.
Egypt's Match with Angola Latest
The denouement of Group B at the continental championship is being covered. For those wishing to remain unaware, don’t click the link.
Championship Standings Snapshot
| 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 |