Look, it’s complicated. It always is when some but not all third-placed teams qualify. Here’s how things look ahead of tonight’s final round of games.
Morocco 4pts, GD+2
Mali 2pts, GD0 (goals scored 2)
Zambia 2pts, GD0 (goals scored 1)
Comoros 1pt, GD-2
In short, Morocco are probably fine but will want to beat Zambia and top the group. Zambia probably need at least a point against Morocco. Comoros probably need to beat Mali, who will probably be okay if they get a point.
Lotta ins, lotta outs, lotta what-have-yous.
Will Unwin is covering the denouement to Group B at the Africa Cup of Nations. If you don’t want to know the score, don’t click the link.
The early game, between the teams who are first and third in the Championship, could be a cracker. Here are the two XIs.
Coventry (4-2-3-1) Rushworth; van Ewijk, Woolfenden, Kitching, Brau; Torp, Grimes; Sakamoto, Rudoni, Mason-Clark; Wright.
Subs: Wilson, Allen, Simms, Kesler-Hayden, Bidwell, Latibeaudiere, Eccles, Perry, Andrews.
Ipswich (4-2-3-1) Walton; Furlong, O’Shea, Kipre, Greaves; Matusiwa, Taylor; Walle, Nunez, Jack Clarke; Azon.
Subs: Palmer, Young, Johnson, Humphreys, Cajuste, Burns, McAteer, Philogene-Bidace, Akpom.
Referee Anthony Backhouse (Cumbria)
Oh, hi folks. Welcome to the [checks writing desk rota] penultimate football clockwatch of 2025. There’s a full EFL programme, starting with Coventry v Ipswich at 6pm, and we’ll also be keeping at least a third of an eye on the two evening games from Group A at the Africa Cup of Nations: Zambia against the hosts Morocco and Comoros v Mali.
You can see a full list of games on our live scores page. (I would type them all out but I’m trying to save my fingers for more essential tasks ahead.) We’ll be focussing on these games, all 7.45pm kick-offs unless stated.
Afcon 2025
Comoros v Mali (7pm)
Zambia v Morocco (7pm)
Championship
Coventry v Ipswich (6pm)
Leicester v Derby
Middlesbrough v Hull
Millwall v Bristol City
Wrexham v Preston
League One
Cardiff v Stevenage
| 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 |