The Sky Blues v Ipswich, Leicester against The Rams, and More Football League Updates
Welcome to a packed night of Football League as well as continental soccer action. We'll be covering major second-tier clashes plus those crucial last pool matches in this Africa Cup of Nations competition.
Introduction
Hello everyone. Welcome to what is checks writing desk rota this second-to-last football clockwatch of the year. There’s an extensive Football League schedule, kicking off with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 18:00, while we will also monitor a close watch on both evening games from the first group at this Afcon: Zambia against the hosts Morocco and Mali facing Comoros.
Our primary attention will be on the following fixtures, with 7.45pm kick-offs unless stated.
Afcon 2025
- The Coelacanths v Mali (7pm)
- The Copper Bullets v Morocco (19:00)
Second Division Matches
- The Sky Blues v Ipswich (6pm)
- Leicester v The Rams
- Boro v Hull
- Millwall v Bristol City
- Wrexham versus North End
League One
- The Bluebirds versus Boro
Recent Team News
Coventry v Ipswich Team News
The evening's opener, between the teams who are top and third in the second tier, promises to be a cracker. These are the starting elevens.
Coventry City (4-2-3-1) Rushworth; the right-back, the centre-back, Kitching, the left-back; the midfielder, Grimes; Sakamoto, Rudoni, Mason-Clark; the striker.
Subs: Wilson, Allen, the forward, Kesler-Hayden, the full-back, Latibeaudiere, the midfielder, Perry, Andrews.
Ipswich Town (4-2-3-1) The shot-stopper; Furlong, the centre-half, the defender, Greaves; Matusiwa, Taylor; Walle, Nunez, the winger; the centre-forward.
Substitutes: Palmer, the defender, the midfielder, the defender, Cajuste, Burns, McAteer, Philogene-Bidace, Akpom.
Referee Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Afcon 2025: Group A Scenarios
It's a tricky picture. That's often the case when some but not all third-place sides qualify. This is the current state ahead of this evening's final round of matches.
- The Atlas Lions 4 points, +2 goal difference
- The Eagles 2pts, GD0 (goals scored 2)
- The Copper Bullets 2 points, GD0 (with 1 goal for)
- The Coelacanths 1 point, GD-2
Briefly, Morocco is likely safe though they will aim to beat Zambia to top the group. Zambia likely requires at least a point against the hosts. The island nation probably need to overcome their rivals, who should advance with a point.
Many possibilities, various outcomes, plenty of scenarios.
Egypt's Match with Angola Update
The conclusion to Group B at this Africa Cup of Nations is being covered. To avoid spoilers, avoid following that coverage.
Second Tier Table 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 |
