Coventry versus Ipswich, Leicester versus The Rams, and Additional EFL League Previews
Greetings for a busy evening of EFL and international football fixtures. We'll be covering major Championship matches plus the crucial last pool matches in the Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
Preamble
Oh, hi folks. You are welcome to what is reportedly this penultimate football clockwatch of 2025. There’s an extensive EFL schedule, starting with Coventry v Ipswich at 6pm, while we’ll also be keeping a close watch on the two night games from the first group at the Afcon: Morocco hosting Zambia and Comoros v Mali.
Our primary attention will be on the following games, all 7.45pm start times unless stated.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- Comoros versus The Eagles (19:00)
- The Copper Bullets v The Atlas Lions (7pm)
Championship
- Coventry versus Ipswich (6pm)
- Leicester versus Derby
- Middlesbrough versus Hull
- Millwall versus The Robins
- The Red Dragons versus Preston
Third Tier Fixture
- The Bluebirds versus Boro
Latest Lineup Updates
Ipswich at Coventry Team News
The evening's opener, featuring the sides sitting top and third in the Championship, promises to be a cracker. These are the confirmed lineups.
Coventry City (4-2-3-1) Rushworth; the right-back, Woolfenden, Kitching, the left-back; Torp, the captain; Sakamoto, Rudoni, Mason-Clark; Wright.
Subs: The backup keeper, Allen, the forward, the defender, Bidwell, Latibeaudiere, the midfielder, the youngster, the player.
Ipswich Town (4-2-3-1) Walton; Furlong, the centre-half, Kipre, Greaves; the midfielder, the midfielder; the attacker, Nunez, the winger; Azon.
Subs: Palmer, Young, the midfielder, Humphreys, Cajuste, Burns, the forward, the attacker, the striker.
The official Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Afcon 2025: First Group Scenarios
It's a tricky picture. That's often the case when some but not all third-place teams progress. This is the current state ahead of tonight’s last set of matches.
- Morocco 4pts, +2 goal difference
- Mali 2pts, 0 goal difference (goals scored 2)
- Zambia 2 points, 0 goal difference (with 1 goal for)
- Comoros 1 point, GD-2
Briefly, Morocco is likely safe but will want to beat their opponents and win their pool. Zambia probably need a draw or better versus Morocco. The island nation likely must to beat their rivals, who will probably be okay with 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, don’t click the link.
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 |
