The Sky Blues versus Ipswich, Leicester against Derby, and More EFL League Previews
Greetings for the packed evening of EFL and continental soccer action. We'll be covering key Championship matches and the crucial final group games in this Afcon tournament.
Introduction
Greetings to all. Welcome to the checks writing desk rota the penultimate soccer clockwatch of the year. We have a full EFL schedule, kicking off with Coventry v Ipswich at 6pm, and we’ll also be keeping a close watch on the two evening fixtures from the first group at this Afcon: Morocco hosting Zambia and Mali facing Comoros.
Our primary attention will be on these fixtures, with 19:45 start times unless stated.
Afcon 2025
- Comoros versus The Eagles (19:00)
- Zambia v The Atlas Lions (19:00)
Second Division Matches
- The Sky Blues versus The Tractor Boys (18:00)
- The Foxes versus Derby
- Middlesbrough versus The Tigers
- The Lions versus Bristol City
- The Red Dragons versus Preston
League One
- Cardiff versus Boro
Latest Team News
Coventry v Ipswich Team News
The early game, between the teams who are first and third in the Championship, looks like an exciting match. Here are the confirmed lineups.
Coventry (a 4-2-3-1 formation) The goalkeeper; van Ewijk, the centre-back, the defender, Brau; the midfielder, Grimes; the winger, the attacking midfielder, the forward; the striker.
Substitutes: Wilson, Allen, the forward, Kesler-Hayden, Bidwell, Latibeaudiere, the midfielder, Perry, Andrews.
Ipswich Town (4-2-3-1) Walton; the defender, O’Shea, the defender, Greaves; the midfielder, the midfielder; Walle, the playmaker, the winger; Azon.
Substitutes: The goalkeeper, Young, Johnson, the defender, the midfielder, the winger, McAteer, Philogene-Bidace, Akpom.
Referee Anthony Backhouse (Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: Group A Scenarios
It's a tricky picture. It always is when some but not all third-placed sides qualify. This is the current state ahead of tonight’s final set of matches.
- Morocco 4pts, GD+2
- Mali 2pts, 0 goal difference (goals scored 2)
- Zambia 2pts, 0 goal difference (with 1 goal for)
- The Coelacanths 1 point, GD-2
To summarize, Morocco are probably fine but will want to defeat Zambia to win the group. Zambia probably need a draw or better against Morocco. Comoros probably need to beat their rivals, who should advance if they get a point.
Lotta ins, lotta outs, lotta what-have-yous.
Angola v Egypt Latest
The denouement to the second group at the Africa Cup of Nations has coverage elsewhere. For those wishing to remain unaware, it's best not to seek out that information.
Second Tier 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 |
