Coventry against The Tractor Boys, The Foxes versus The Rams, along with Additional Football Action Previews
Welcome to a busy evening of Football League and continental football fixtures. The spotlight falls on key second-tier encounters and the crucial last pool matches in this Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
Opening Notes
Hello everyone. Welcome to the checks writing desk rota the second-to-last football live blog of the year. We have a full Football League programme, starting with Coventry v Ipswich at 18:00, and we will also monitor a close watch on the two evening games from the first group at the Africa Cup of Nations: Morocco hosting Zambia as well as Mali facing Comoros.
Our primary attention will be on the following matches, all 19:45 kick-offs unless stated.
Afcon 2025
- Comoros versus Mali (7pm)
- The Copper Bullets versus Morocco (19:00)
Championship
- The Sky Blues versus The Tractor Boys (18:00)
- The Foxes versus The Rams
- Boro v The Tigers
- The Lions versus Bristol City
- The Red Dragons versus Preston
Third Tier Fixture
- The Bluebirds v Boro
Recent Lineup Updates
Ipswich at Coventry Confirmed Lineups
The evening's opener, between the teams who are first and third in the second tier, promises to be an exciting match. Here are the starting elevens.
Coventry City (a 4-2-3-1 formation) The goalkeeper; the right-back, the centre-back, Kitching, Brau; Torp, Grimes; the winger, Rudoni, Mason-Clark; the striker.
Substitutes: Wilson, the midfielder, Simms, the defender, Bidwell, Latibeaudiere, the midfielder, Perry, the player.
Ipswich (a 4-2-3-1 setup) The shot-stopper; the defender, the centre-half, Kipre, the left-back; Matusiwa, Taylor; the attacker, Nunez, Jack Clarke; the centre-forward.
Subs: Palmer, Young, the midfielder, Humphreys, Cajuste, Burns, the forward, Philogene-Bidace, the striker.
The official Backhouse (Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: First Group Permutations
It's a tricky picture. It always is when some but not all third-placed teams progress. This is the current state ahead of tonight’s last round of games.
- The Atlas Lions 4pts, +2 goal difference
- Mali 2 points, GD0 (with 2 goals for)
- The Copper Bullets 2 points, GD0 (goals scored 1)
- The Coelacanths 1pt, GD-2
In short, Morocco is likely safe but will want to defeat Zambia and win their pool. Zambia probably need at least a point against Morocco. The island nation likely need to beat Mali, who will probably be okay if they get a draw.
A host of potential results and permutations.
Egypt's Match with Angola Update
The final act to the second group at this Africa Cup of Nations has coverage elsewhere. To avoid spoilers, it's best not to seek out that information.
Championship 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 |
