Coventry versus The Tractor Boys, The Foxes v The Rams, along with More Football Action Updates
Welcome for a packed night of Football League as well as continental football fixtures. We'll be covering important Championship encounters and the pivotal final pool games in the Africa Cup of Nations competition.
Introduction
Oh, hi folks. You are welcome to the checks writing desk rota this second-to-last soccer clockwatch of the year. There’s a full Football League schedule, starting with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 18:00, while we’ll also be keeping a close watch on the two evening games from Group A at the Afcon: Zambia against the hosts Morocco and Mali facing Comoros.
Our primary attention will be on these games, all 19:45 kick-offs unless stated.
Afcon 2025
- The Coelacanths versus The Eagles (19:00)
- Zambia versus The Atlas Lions (19:00)
Championship
- The Sky Blues v The Tractor Boys (18:00)
- The Foxes v The Rams
- Boro versus The Tigers
- The Lions v Bristol City
- Wrexham v Preston
League One
- The Bluebirds versus Boro
Latest Team News
Coventry v Ipswich Team News
The early game, between the teams who are first and third in the second tier, looks like a cracker. These are the confirmed lineups.
Coventry City (a 4-2-3-1 formation) The goalkeeper; van Ewijk, Woolfenden, Kitching, the left-back; the midfielder, the captain; the winger, the attacking midfielder, the forward; the striker.
Subs: The backup keeper, Allen, the forward, Kesler-Hayden, Bidwell, the defender, Eccles, the youngster, Andrews.
Ipswich Town (4-2-3-1) Walton; the defender, O’Shea, Kipre, the left-back; Matusiwa, the midfielder; the attacker, Nunez, the winger; Azon.
Subs: The goalkeeper, Young, the midfielder, the defender, Cajuste, Burns, McAteer, Philogene-Bidace, Akpom.
Referee Anthony Backhouse (Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: Group A Scenarios
It's a tricky picture. That's often the case when some but not all third-place sides progress. This is the current state before tonight’s final set of matches.
- Morocco 4 points, GD+2
- The Eagles 2 points, 0 goal difference (goals scored 2)
- The Copper Bullets 2 points, 0 goal difference (with 1 goal for)
- The Coelacanths 1 point, -2 goal difference
Briefly, Morocco is likely safe but will want to defeat their opponents and win their pool. Zambia probably need a draw or better against the hosts. The island nation likely need to overcome Mali, who should advance with a point.
Many possibilities, various outcomes, plenty of scenarios.
Angola v Egypt Update
The final act to the second group at this 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 |
