Coventry against The Tractor Boys, The Foxes against Derby, and More Football League Updates
Greetings for a packed evening of EFL as well as international football fixtures. Our focus includes important Championship matches and the pivotal last pool games in this Africa Cup of Nations competition.
Opening Notes
Oh, hi folks. You are welcome to what is arguably this second-to-last football clockwatch of 2025. We have an extensive Football League slate, starting with Coventry v Ipswich at 18:00, while we’ll also be keeping at least a third of an eye on both night games from the first group at this Africa Cup of Nations: Zambia against the hosts Morocco and Mali facing Comoros.
We'll be focussing on the following fixtures, all 7.45pm kick-offs unless stated.
Afcon 2025
- The Coelacanths v Mali (7pm)
- The Copper Bullets versus Morocco (19:00)
Championship
- Coventry versus Ipswich (6pm)
- Leicester v Derby
- Middlesbrough versus Hull
- Millwall v Bristol City
- Wrexham versus North End
Third Tier Fixture
- The Bluebirds v Stevenage
Recent Lineup Updates
Ipswich at Coventry Team News
The evening's opener, featuring the sides sitting top and third in the second tier, could be a thriller. Here are the starting elevens.
Coventry (4-2-3-1) The goalkeeper; van Ewijk, the centre-back, Kitching, Brau; the midfielder, Grimes; the winger, Rudoni, Mason-Clark; Wright.
Subs: The backup keeper, the midfielder, Simms, Kesler-Hayden, Bidwell, the defender, Eccles, Perry, Andrews.
Ipswich (4-2-3-1) The shot-stopper; the defender, O’Shea, the defender, the left-back; Matusiwa, Taylor; Walle, the playmaker, Jack Clarke; Azon.
Substitutes: Palmer, the defender, the midfielder, the defender, Cajuste, the winger, McAteer, Philogene-Bidace, Akpom.
Referee Anthony Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: Group A Permutations
The situation is complex. That's often the case where only some third-placed sides qualify. This is the current state ahead of this evening's final set of games.
- Morocco 4 points, GD+2
- Mali 2pts, 0 goal difference (goals scored 2)
- The Copper Bullets 2 points, 0 goal difference (goals scored 1)
- The Coelacanths 1 point, GD-2
In short, Morocco is likely safe but will want to beat their opponents and win the group. Zambia probably need at least a point against the hosts. The island nation likely need to beat Mali, who will probably be okay with a point.
A host of potential results and permutations.
Egypt's Match with Angola Latest
The conclusion to Group B at the continental championship is being covered. To avoid spoilers, avoid following that coverage.
Second Tier Table 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 |