The Sky Blues versus The Tractor Boys, The Foxes v Derby, and More EFL League Previews
Greetings for a busy evening of EFL and continental football fixtures. The spotlight falls on important second-tier matches and the pivotal last pool games in the Afcon competition.
Opening Notes
Oh, hi folks. You are welcome to the reportedly the second-to-last soccer live blog of the year. We have a full EFL schedule, kicking off with Coventry v Ipswich at 18:00, and we’ll also be keeping a close watch on both night fixtures from Group A at this Afcon: Morocco hosting Zambia and Comoros v Mali.
Our primary attention will be on the following fixtures, all 7.45pm start times except where noted.
Afcon 2025
- The Coelacanths versus The Eagles (19:00)
- The Copper Bullets v Morocco (7pm)
Second Division Matches
- Coventry versus Ipswich (18:00)
- The Foxes v The Rams
- Boro versus Hull
- Millwall versus Bristol City
- Wrexham versus Preston
League One
- The Bluebirds versus Boro
Recent Lineup Updates
Coventry v Ipswich Team News
The evening's opener, featuring the sides sitting first and third in the Championship, looks like a cracker. Here are the confirmed lineups.
Coventry City (4-2-3-1) Rushworth; van Ewijk, the centre-back, Kitching, Brau; the midfielder, the captain; the winger, Rudoni, the forward; the striker.
Subs: Wilson, Allen, Simms, Kesler-Hayden, the full-back, the defender, the midfielder, Perry, the player.
Ipswich (a 4-2-3-1 setup) The shot-stopper; the defender, the centre-half, the defender, the left-back; the midfielder, the midfielder; the attacker, the playmaker, the winger; Azon.
Substitutes: Palmer, Young, the midfielder, Humphreys, Cajuste, Burns, the forward, Philogene-Bidace, the striker.
The official Anthony 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 teams qualify. This is the current state ahead of this evening's final set of matches.
- The Atlas Lions 4pts, +2 goal difference
- The Eagles 2pts, GD0 (with 2 goals for)
- The Copper Bullets 2pts, GD0 (goals scored 1)
- The Coelacanths 1 point, -2 goal difference
To summarize, Morocco is likely safe though they will aim to beat Zambia and top the group. Zambia probably need at least a point versus Morocco. The island nation probably must to beat Mali, who will probably be okay if they get a draw.
Many possibilities, various outcomes, plenty of scenarios.
Egypt's Match with Angola Latest
The final act of the second group at the continental championship is being covered. To avoid spoilers, 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 |
