Coventry v Ipswich, The Foxes versus The Rams, and Additional Football Action Previews
Hello for a packed night of EFL as well as international soccer action. The spotlight falls on important Championship clashes and those crucial last pool matches in the Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
Introduction
Hello everyone. You are welcome to the checks writing desk rota the second-to-last football clockwatch of the year. We have a full Football League slate, kicking off with Coventry v Ipswich at 6pm, while we’ll also be keeping at least a third of an eye on the two evening fixtures from Group A at the Africa Cup of Nations: Morocco hosting Zambia and Comoros v Mali.
Our primary attention will be on the following games, all 7.45pm start times except where noted.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- The Coelacanths versus Mali (19:00)
- The Copper Bullets v Morocco (19:00)
Championship
- The Sky Blues v The Tractor Boys (18:00)
- The Foxes v The Rams
- Middlesbrough versus Hull
- Millwall v Bristol City
- Wrexham versus Preston
Third Tier Fixture
- Cardiff v Stevenage
Recent Team News
Ipswich at Coventry Team News
The early game, between the teams who are top and third in the Championship, promises to be a cracker. These are the starting elevens.
Coventry (a 4-2-3-1 formation) Rushworth; the right-back, the centre-back, Kitching, Brau; Torp, the captain; the winger, the attacking midfielder, the forward; the striker.
Substitutes: Wilson, Allen, Simms, the defender, Bidwell, the defender, Eccles, Perry, Andrews.
Ipswich Town (4-2-3-1) Walton; the defender, O’Shea, Kipre, the left-back; Matusiwa, Taylor; the attacker, the playmaker, Jack Clarke; the centre-forward.
Substitutes: Palmer, Young, the midfielder, the defender, the midfielder, Burns, the forward, Philogene-Bidace, Akpom.
Referee Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Afcon 2025: First Group Permutations
Look, it’s complicated. That's often the case when some but not all third-place teams qualify. This is the current state ahead of this evening's final round of matches.
- Morocco 4 points, GD+2
- Mali 2 points, GD0 (goals scored 2)
- Zambia 2pts, GD0 (goals scored 1)
- The Coelacanths 1 point, GD-2
Briefly, Morocco is likely safe though they will aim to beat their opponents and win the group. Zambia likely requires a draw or better versus Morocco. Comoros likely must to beat Mali, who will probably be okay with a point.
Lotta ins, lotta outs, lotta what-have-yous.
Angola v Egypt Latest
The final act of the second group at this continental championship has coverage elsewhere. To avoid spoilers, don’t click the link.
Second Tier 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 |
