Coventry against The Tractor Boys, Leicester v Derby, along with Additional EFL Action Updates
Welcome for a busy evening of EFL and international football fixtures. The spotlight falls on major second-tier matches plus the pivotal last group matches in this Afcon competition.
Opening Notes
Greetings to all. Welcome to what is checks writing desk rota this penultimate football clockwatch of 2025. There’s an extensive Football League schedule, starting with Coventry v Ipswich at 6pm, and we will also monitor a close watch on the two evening games from Group A at this Africa Cup of Nations: Zambia against the hosts Morocco as well as Comoros v Mali.
Our primary attention will be on the following fixtures, all 7.45pm kick-offs unless stated.
Afcon 2025
- Comoros v The Eagles (7pm)
- The Copper Bullets v The Atlas Lions (19:00)
Second Division Matches
- The Sky Blues versus Ipswich (6pm)
- Leicester versus The Rams
- Middlesbrough v The Tigers
- Millwall versus Bristol City
- Wrexham v North End
Third Tier Fixture
- Cardiff versus Boro
Recent Team News
Coventry v Ipswich Team News
The early game, between the teams who are first and third in the Championship, looks like an exciting match. These are the confirmed lineups.
Coventry City (a 4-2-3-1 formation) The goalkeeper; the right-back, Woolfenden, the defender, the left-back; Torp, the captain; Sakamoto, Rudoni, the forward; Wright.
Substitutes: The backup keeper, the midfielder, Simms, the defender, the full-back, the defender, the midfielder, Perry, Andrews.
Ipswich (4-2-3-1) Walton; the defender, the centre-half, Kipre, the left-back; the midfielder, Taylor; the attacker, Nunez, Jack Clarke; Azon.
Substitutes: The goalkeeper, Young, Johnson, the defender, Cajuste, the winger, McAteer, Philogene-Bidace, the striker.
The official Backhouse (Cumbria).
Afcon 2025: Group A Scenarios
The situation is complex. That's often the case when some but not all third-placed teams qualify. Here’s how things look before tonight’s final set of matches.
- The Atlas Lions 4pts, GD+2
- The Eagles 2 points, 0 goal difference (with 2 goals for)
- Zambia 2 points, GD0 (goals scored 1)
- The Coelacanths 1pt, GD-2
In short, Morocco are probably fine but will want to beat their opponents to top their pool. Zambia likely requires at least a point versus Morocco. The island nation likely must to overcome Mali, who will probably be okay if they get a point.
A host of potential results and permutations.
Egypt's Match with Angola Update
The denouement of Group B at the Africa Cup of Nations is being covered. To avoid spoilers, avoid following that coverage.
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 |
