Coventry versus The Tractor Boys, Leicester versus Derby, along with Additional Football League Previews
Welcome for a full night of Football League as well as continental football action. Our focus includes important second-tier encounters and the crucial final pool games in the Afcon competition.
Preamble
Hello everyone. Welcome to the reportedly the second-to-last soccer clockwatch of 2025. We have a full EFL programme, kicking off with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 18:00, while we will also monitor a close watch on both night games from the first group at this Afcon: Zambia against the hosts Morocco and Mali facing Comoros.
We'll be focussing on these matches, all 19:45 kick-offs except where noted.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- Comoros v Mali (19:00)
- Zambia v Morocco (19:00)
Second Division Matches
- Coventry v The Tractor Boys (18:00)
- The Foxes versus The Rams
- Boro v The Tigers
- Millwall versus Bristol City
- Wrexham v North End
Third Tier Fixture
- The Bluebirds versus Stevenage
Latest Team News
Ipswich at Coventry Team News
The early game, between the teams who are top and third in the Championship, could be a cracker. These are the two XIs.
Coventry City (4-2-3-1) Rushworth; van Ewijk, Woolfenden, Kitching, Brau; the midfielder, the captain; Sakamoto, the attacking midfielder, Mason-Clark; Wright.
Subs: Wilson, Allen, the forward, the defender, the full-back, the defender, Eccles, the youngster, the player.
Ipswich Town (4-2-3-1) Walton; the defender, the centre-half, Kipre, the left-back; Matusiwa, the midfielder; Walle, the playmaker, the winger; Azon.
Subs: The goalkeeper, Young, the midfielder, Humphreys, Cajuste, the winger, McAteer, Philogene-Bidace, the striker.
The official Backhouse (Cumbria).
Afcon 2025: Group A Permutations
It's a tricky picture. It always is when some but not all third-placed teams progress. Here’s how things look before tonight’s final set of matches.
- Morocco 4pts, GD+2
- The Eagles 2 points, GD0 (with 2 goals for)
- Zambia 2 points, 0 goal difference (with 1 goal for)
- Comoros 1pt, -2 goal difference
In short, Morocco is likely safe though they will aim to defeat their opponents and win the group. Zambia probably need a draw or better versus Morocco. Comoros probably need to beat Mali, who should advance with a draw.
Many possibilities, various outcomes, plenty of scenarios.
Egypt's Match with Angola Update
The final act to Group B at this Africa Cup of Nations has coverage elsewhere. For those wishing to remain unaware, avoid following that coverage.
Second Tier 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 |
