Coventry versus Ipswich, The Foxes versus The Rams, and Additional Football League Updates
Welcome for the full evening of Football League and continental football action. The spotlight falls on key Championship encounters plus the pivotal final group matches in this Africa Cup of Nations competition.
Opening Notes
Greetings to all. Welcome to the reportedly the penultimate football clockwatch of 2025. We have an extensive EFL schedule, starting with Coventry v Ipswich at 18:00, and we will also monitor at least a third of an eye on the two night games from Group A at this Afcon: Morocco hosting Zambia and Comoros v Mali.
We'll be focussing on the following fixtures, all 19:45 kick-offs except where noted.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- Comoros v The Eagles (19:00)
- Zambia versus Morocco (7pm)
Second Division Matches
- Coventry v Ipswich (6pm)
- The Foxes v The Rams
- Boro v The Tigers
- Millwall versus Bristol City
- Wrexham v Preston
Third Tier Fixture
- The Bluebirds v Boro
Recent Lineup Updates
Ipswich at Coventry Team News
The evening's opener, featuring the sides sitting top and third in the second tier, promises to be an exciting match. These are the confirmed lineups.
Coventry (a 4-2-3-1 formation) Rushworth; the right-back, Woolfenden, Kitching, Brau; Torp, Grimes; the winger, the attacking midfielder, the forward; Wright.
Substitutes: Wilson, the midfielder, the forward, Kesler-Hayden, Bidwell, Latibeaudiere, Eccles, the youngster, Andrews.
Ipswich Town (a 4-2-3-1 setup) Walton; Furlong, O’Shea, the defender, the left-back; the midfielder, the midfielder; Walle, Nunez, Jack Clarke; Azon.
Substitutes: Palmer, the defender, the midfielder, the defender, the midfielder, the winger, McAteer, the attacker, Akpom.
Referee Anthony Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: Group A Scenarios
Look, it’s complicated. It always is when some but not all third-placed sides progress. Here’s how things look before tonight’s final round of games.
- The Atlas Lions 4pts, +2 goal difference
- Mali 2 points, GD0 (with 2 goals for)
- Zambia 2pts, GD0 (goals scored 1)
- The Coelacanths 1 point, -2 goal difference
In short, Morocco are probably fine but will want to beat their opponents to top the group. Zambia likely requires at least a point against Morocco. Comoros likely must to beat Mali, who will probably be okay with a draw.
Many possibilities, various outcomes, plenty of scenarios.
Egypt's Match with Angola Update
The denouement of Group B at this Africa Cup of Nations has coverage elsewhere. To avoid spoilers, it's best not to seek out that information.
Championship 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 |
