Coventry against The Tractor Boys, The Foxes v Derby, and Additional Football League Updates
Welcome for the packed night of EFL as well as continental football fixtures. Our focus includes important second-tier clashes and the crucial last group matches in this Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
Opening Notes
Hello everyone. You are welcome to what is checks writing desk rota the penultimate football clockwatch of 2025. We have an extensive EFL slate, kicking off with Coventry v Ipswich at 18:00, and we’ll also be keeping a close watch on the two evening games from Group A at the Afcon: Zambia against the hosts Morocco as well as Comoros v Mali.
We'll be focussing on the following fixtures, with 7.45pm start times unless stated.
Afcon 2025
- Comoros v Mali (7pm)
- Zambia v The Atlas Lions (7pm)
Second Division Matches
- The Sky Blues v Ipswich (6pm)
- Leicester v Derby
- Middlesbrough versus The Tigers
- Millwall v Bristol City
- The Red Dragons v Preston
League One
- Cardiff versus Stevenage
Latest Lineup Updates
Ipswich at Coventry Team News
The evening's opener, between the teams who are first and third in the second tier, looks like a thriller. These are the two XIs.
Coventry City (4-2-3-1) The goalkeeper; van Ewijk, Woolfenden, the defender, the left-back; the midfielder, the captain; the winger, Rudoni, the forward; Wright.
Subs: The backup keeper, the midfielder, Simms, the defender, Bidwell, the defender, the midfielder, the youngster, the player.
Ipswich (a 4-2-3-1 setup) The shot-stopper; the defender, the centre-half, the defender, the left-back; Matusiwa, Taylor; the attacker, the playmaker, Jack Clarke; Azon.
Substitutes: The goalkeeper, Young, the midfielder, Humphreys, Cajuste, Burns, McAteer, the attacker, the striker.
Referee Anthony Backhouse (Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: First Group Scenarios
It's a tricky picture. It always is where only some third-placed teams progress. Here’s how things look ahead of tonight’s final round of matches.
- Morocco 4 points, +2 goal difference
- Mali 2pts, 0 goal difference (goals scored 2)
- Zambia 2 points, GD0 (goals scored 1)
- Comoros 1pt, -2 goal difference
In short, Morocco are probably fine though they will aim to beat Zambia and top the group. Zambia probably need at least a point versus the hosts. The island nation likely need to beat their rivals, who will probably be okay if they get a point.
Many possibilities, various outcomes, plenty of scenarios.
Angola v Egypt Update
The final act to the second group at this continental championship has coverage elsewhere. For those wishing to remain unaware, avoid following that coverage.
Second Tier 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 |
