Coventry versus The Tractor Boys, Leicester against Derby, and More Football League Updates
Welcome for a full evening of Football League and international football action. Our focus includes important Championship encounters plus those pivotal last group matches in the Afcon competition.
Introduction
Hello everyone. Welcome to the checks writing desk rota this second-to-last soccer clockwatch of the year. We have a full Football League schedule, starting with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 18:00, and we will also monitor a close watch on both night fixtures from Group A at the Africa Cup of Nations: Zambia against the hosts Morocco as well as Comoros v Mali.
We'll be focussing on these fixtures, with 7.45pm start times except where noted.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- Comoros versus The Eagles (7pm)
- Zambia versus The Atlas Lions (7pm)
Championship
- Coventry v Ipswich (6pm)
- The Foxes versus Derby
- Middlesbrough v Hull
- The Lions versus Bristol City
- The Red Dragons versus North End
League One
- Cardiff versus Boro
Latest Team News
Ipswich at Coventry Confirmed Lineups
The evening's opener, between the teams who are first and third in the second tier, looks like an exciting match. Here are the two XIs.
Coventry City (4-2-3-1) The goalkeeper; the right-back, the centre-back, Kitching, the left-back; Torp, the captain; the winger, the attacking midfielder, the forward; Wright.
Subs: The backup keeper, the midfielder, Simms, Kesler-Hayden, the full-back, the defender, Eccles, Perry, the player.
Ipswich Town (a 4-2-3-1 setup) Walton; the defender, O’Shea, the defender, the left-back; the midfielder, Taylor; Walle, the playmaker, the winger; the centre-forward.
Subs: The goalkeeper, Young, the midfielder, the defender, Cajuste, Burns, the forward, Philogene-Bidace, Akpom.
Referee Anthony Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Afcon 2025: First Group Permutations
The situation is complex. It always is when some but not all third-placed teams qualify. This is the current state ahead of tonight’s final round of matches.
- The Atlas Lions 4pts, +2 goal difference
- Mali 2 points, GD0 (goals scored 2)
- Zambia 2pts, 0 goal difference (goals scored 1)
- The Coelacanths 1pt, -2 goal difference
In short, Morocco is likely safe though they will aim to defeat their opponents and top their pool. Zambia probably need a draw or better against the hosts. Comoros probably must to overcome Mali, who should advance with a point.
Lotta ins, lotta outs, lotta what-have-yous.
Angola v Egypt Update
The denouement to Group B at this Africa Cup of Nations is being covered. 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 |
