The Sky Blues versus Ipswich, Leicester against The Rams, along with More Football Action Updates
Welcome for a packed evening of EFL as well as international soccer fixtures. We'll be covering major second-tier clashes plus those crucial final pool games in this Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
Opening Notes
Greetings to all. Welcome to the checks writing desk rota this penultimate football clockwatch of 2025. We have an extensive EFL schedule, kicking off 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 the first group at this Africa Cup of Nations: Morocco hosting Zambia as well as Comoros v Mali.
We'll be focussing on these games, all 19:45 start times except where noted.
Afcon 2025
- Comoros versus The Eagles (19:00)
- The Copper Bullets versus The Atlas Lions (19:00)
Second Division Matches
- The Sky Blues v The Tractor Boys (18:00)
- Leicester v Derby
- Middlesbrough v The Tigers
- Millwall v Bristol City
- Wrexham versus North End
League One
- The Bluebirds v Boro
Latest Lineup Updates
Coventry v Ipswich Team News
The evening's opener, featuring the sides sitting first and third in the Championship, promises to be a thriller. These are the starting elevens.
Coventry City (4-2-3-1) The goalkeeper; van Ewijk, Woolfenden, Kitching, Brau; Torp, Grimes; the winger, Rudoni, Mason-Clark; Wright.
Subs: Wilson, the midfielder, the forward, the defender, the full-back, the defender, Eccles, the youngster, Andrews.
Ipswich (a 4-2-3-1 setup) The shot-stopper; Furlong, O’Shea, the defender, the left-back; Matusiwa, the midfielder; Walle, the playmaker, the winger; Azon.
Substitutes: Palmer, the defender, Johnson, Humphreys, the midfielder, Burns, McAteer, Philogene-Bidace, the striker.
Referee Anthony Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: Group A Permutations
Look, it’s complicated. That's often the case where only some third-place teams qualify. This is the current state before this evening's last round of games.
- Morocco 4 points, GD+2
- The Eagles 2 points, 0 goal difference (goals scored 2)
- The Copper Bullets 2 points, 0 goal difference (with 1 goal for)
- The Coelacanths 1 point, GD-2
To summarize, Morocco are probably fine but will want to beat Zambia and win the group. Zambia probably need a draw or better against Morocco. Comoros likely must to overcome Mali, who should advance if they get a draw.
Many possibilities, various outcomes, plenty of scenarios.
Egypt's Match with Angola Latest
The conclusion of the second group at the continental championship is being covered. If you don’t want to know the score, it's best not to seek out that information.
Championship 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 |
