The Sky Blues versus The Tractor Boys, The Foxes against Derby, and Additional EFL Action Previews
Welcome to a packed evening of Football League as well as international football fixtures. We'll be covering major second-tier clashes and the crucial last pool matches in the Afcon competition.
Introduction
Oh, hi folks. Welcome to what is arguably this penultimate football clockwatch of 2025. There’s a full EFL slate, starting with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 6pm, and we will also monitor a close watch on both evening games from the first group at the Afcon: Morocco hosting Zambia as well as Mali facing Comoros.
We'll be focussing on the following fixtures, all 7.45pm start times unless stated.
Afcon 2025
- The Coelacanths v Mali (19:00)
- The Copper Bullets versus The Atlas Lions (7pm)
Second Division Matches
- Coventry v The Tractor Boys (18:00)
- Leicester versus The Rams
- Boro versus The Tigers
- The Lions versus The Robins
- Wrexham v North End
Third Tier Fixture
- The Bluebirds versus Stevenage
Recent Lineup Updates
Ipswich at Coventry Confirmed Lineups
The early game, between the teams who are top and third in the second tier, promises to be an exciting match. Here are the starting elevens.
Coventry City (a 4-2-3-1 formation) The goalkeeper; the right-back, the centre-back, Kitching, Brau; the midfielder, the captain; the winger, Rudoni, Mason-Clark; Wright.
Substitutes: Wilson, Allen, the forward, Kesler-Hayden, Bidwell, the defender, the midfielder, the youngster, the player.
Ipswich Town (a 4-2-3-1 setup) The shot-stopper; Furlong, O’Shea, Kipre, Greaves; Matusiwa, Taylor; Walle, Nunez, Jack Clarke; the centre-forward.
Substitutes: The goalkeeper, the defender, Johnson, the defender, the midfielder, the winger, the forward, the attacker, the striker.
The official Anthony Backhouse (Cumbria).
Afcon 2025: Group A Permutations
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 4 points, +2 goal difference
- The Eagles 2 points, 0 goal difference (goals scored 2)
- Zambia 2pts, 0 goal difference (goals scored 1)
- The Coelacanths 1pt, GD-2
To summarize, Morocco are probably fine but will want to defeat their opponents to win their pool. Zambia probably need a draw or better versus Morocco. The island nation likely need to beat Mali, who will probably be okay if they get a draw.
Lotta ins, lotta outs, lotta what-have-yous.
Angola v Egypt Latest
The conclusion to Group B at the Africa Cup of Nations has coverage elsewhere. For those wishing to remain unaware, it's best not to seek out that information.
Championship Standings Overview
| 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 |
