The Sky Blues versus Ipswich, Leicester versus The Rams, and More Football Action Updates
Welcome for the packed night of EFL as well as continental football fixtures. The spotlight falls on key second-tier clashes and those crucial final pool games in this Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
Opening Notes
Hello everyone. Welcome to the reportedly this second-to-last football clockwatch of 2025. There’s an extensive EFL programme, kicking off with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 6pm, while we will also monitor at least a third of an eye on both night fixtures from Group A at the Africa Cup of Nations: Morocco hosting Zambia as well as Comoros v Mali.
Our primary attention will be on these fixtures, with 7.45pm start times unless stated.
Afcon 2025
- The Coelacanths versus Mali (7pm)
- Zambia v The Atlas Lions (7pm)
Championship
- Coventry versus Ipswich (6pm)
- Leicester versus Derby
- Boro v Hull
- The Lions versus Bristol City
- Wrexham versus Preston
League One
- The Bluebirds versus Stevenage
Recent Team News
Ipswich at Coventry Team News
The early game, featuring the sides sitting top and third in the Championship, looks like a cracker. Here are the starting elevens.
Coventry (4-2-3-1) Rushworth; van Ewijk, Woolfenden, the defender, Brau; the midfielder, the captain; Sakamoto, the attacking midfielder, the forward; the striker.
Subs: The backup keeper, the midfielder, Simms, Kesler-Hayden, the full-back, Latibeaudiere, Eccles, Perry, Andrews.
Ipswich Town (a 4-2-3-1 setup) The shot-stopper; the defender, O’Shea, the defender, Greaves; Matusiwa, Taylor; the attacker, Nunez, Jack Clarke; Azon.
Subs: The goalkeeper, Young, Johnson, the defender, the midfielder, Burns, McAteer, Philogene-Bidace, Akpom.
The official Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Afcon 2025: Group A Scenarios
Look, it’s complicated. That's often the case when some but not all third-placed teams progress. Here’s how things look ahead of tonight’s final set of games.
- The Atlas Lions 4 points, GD+2
- Mali 2pts, GD0 (goals scored 2)
- Zambia 2 points, 0 goal difference (with 1 goal for)
- The Coelacanths 1pt, GD-2
To summarize, Morocco are probably fine but will want to beat their opponents to top their pool. Zambia probably need at least a point versus Morocco. The island nation probably must to overcome their rivals, who should advance if they get a point.
A host of potential results and permutations.
Egypt's Match with Angola Update
The final act of the second group at this continental championship is being covered. To avoid spoilers, avoid following that coverage.
Second Tier Standings 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 |
