The Sky Blues v The Tractor Boys, Leicester against Derby, and More EFL League Previews
Welcome to a busy night of Football League as well as international football fixtures. The spotlight falls on major second-tier matches plus those pivotal final group games in this Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
Introduction
Greetings to all. You are welcome to what is reportedly this penultimate football clockwatch of 2025. We have a full Football League slate, starting with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 6pm, and we’ll also be keeping a close watch on both evening games from the first group at the Afcon: Zambia against the hosts Morocco as well as Mali facing Comoros.
Our primary attention will be on the following matches, with 7.45pm start times unless stated.
Afcon 2025
- Comoros v Mali (7pm)
- Zambia v Morocco (19:00)
Second Division Matches
- Coventry v Ipswich (6pm)
- The Foxes versus The Rams
- Boro v The Tigers
- Millwall versus The Robins
- Wrexham versus Preston
Third Tier Fixture
- Cardiff v Stevenage
Recent Team News
Coventry v Ipswich Confirmed Lineups
The early game, between the teams who are first and third in the second tier, could be a cracker. Here are the starting elevens.
Coventry City (a 4-2-3-1 formation) Rushworth; the right-back, Woolfenden, the defender, Brau; Torp, Grimes; Sakamoto, the attacking midfielder, the forward; Wright.
Subs: Wilson, Allen, the forward, Kesler-Hayden, Bidwell, the defender, Eccles, Perry, Andrews.
Ipswich (4-2-3-1) The shot-stopper; Furlong, the centre-half, Kipre, Greaves; the midfielder, Taylor; Walle, the playmaker, Jack Clarke; Azon.
Substitutes: Palmer, Young, the midfielder, Humphreys, Cajuste, the winger, the forward, the attacker, the striker.
The official Anthony Backhouse (Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: First Group Permutations
Look, it’s complicated. It always is where only some third-place teams progress. Here’s how things look before tonight’s last round of games.
- The Atlas Lions 4pts, +2 goal difference
- Mali 2pts, GD0 (with 2 goals for)
- The Copper Bullets 2 points, GD0 (with 1 goal for)
- The Coelacanths 1pt, -2 goal difference
Briefly, Morocco are probably fine but will want to beat their opponents and top the group. Zambia likely requires at least a point against the hosts. The island nation probably must to beat Mali, who will probably be okay if they get a point.
Many possibilities, various outcomes, plenty of scenarios.
Egypt's Match with Angola Update
The denouement to Group B at this Africa Cup of Nations has coverage elsewhere. To avoid spoilers, don’t click the link.
Championship 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 |
