The Sky Blues against Ipswich, Leicester v Derby, along with Additional Football Action Previews
Welcome to the packed evening of Football League and international football fixtures. The spotlight falls on major Championship clashes and those crucial last group games in this Afcon tournament.
Opening Notes
Hello everyone. Welcome to what is reportedly the penultimate soccer clockwatch of 2025. We have a full EFL programme, starting with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 18:00, and we will also monitor a close watch on the two night fixtures from the first group at this Afcon: Morocco hosting Zambia and Comoros v Mali.
We'll be focussing on these matches, with 7.45pm start times except where noted.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- The Coelacanths v Mali (19:00)
- Zambia versus Morocco (19:00)
Championship
- The Sky Blues versus Ipswich (18:00)
- The Foxes versus Derby
- Middlesbrough versus The Tigers
- Millwall v The Robins
- The Red Dragons v North End
League One
- Cardiff versus Stevenage
Latest Lineup Updates
Ipswich at Coventry Confirmed Lineups
The evening's opener, featuring the sides sitting top and third in the second tier, could be an exciting match. Here are the starting elevens.
Coventry (4-2-3-1) The goalkeeper; the right-back, the centre-back, the defender, Brau; Torp, the captain; the winger, the attacking midfielder, Mason-Clark; the striker.
Substitutes: The backup keeper, the midfielder, Simms, the defender, the full-back, the defender, Eccles, Perry, the player.
Ipswich (a 4-2-3-1 setup) The shot-stopper; the defender, O’Shea, the defender, the left-back; Matusiwa, Taylor; Walle, Nunez, the winger; the centre-forward.
Substitutes: The goalkeeper, the defender, the midfielder, the defender, Cajuste, the winger, McAteer, Philogene-Bidace, the striker.
The official Anthony Backhouse (Cumbria).
Afcon 2025: First Group Scenarios
The situation is complex. That's often the case where only some third-placed sides progress. Here’s how things look before this evening's final round of matches.
- Morocco 4 points, GD+2
- The Eagles 2 points, 0 goal difference (goals scored 2)
- Zambia 2pts, 0 goal difference (with 1 goal for)
- The Coelacanths 1 point, -2 goal difference
Briefly, Morocco is likely safe but will want to defeat Zambia and top their pool. Zambia likely requires a draw or better versus the hosts. The island nation likely need to overcome Mali, who will probably be okay if they get a point.
Many possibilities, various outcomes, plenty of scenarios.
Angola v Egypt Update
The final act of Group B at the continental championship is being covered. To avoid spoilers, avoid following that coverage.
Second Tier Standings 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 |
