Coventry against Ipswich, The Foxes v Derby, and More Football League Updates
Greetings to a busy night of Football League and continental football action. The spotlight falls on major second-tier encounters plus those pivotal last pool games in this Africa Cup of Nations competition.
Introduction
Oh, hi folks. You are welcome to the arguably the second-to-last football clockwatch of 2025. We have an extensive EFL slate, kicking off with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 6pm, and we will also monitor a close watch on both night games from the first group at the Africa Cup of Nations: Morocco hosting Zambia and Mali facing Comoros.
We'll be focussing on these matches, with 7.45pm start times unless stated.
Afcon 2025
- Comoros versus Mali (7pm)
- Zambia versus The Atlas Lions (19:00)
Championship
- The Sky Blues versus Ipswich (18:00)
- Leicester v Derby
- Middlesbrough versus The Tigers
- The Lions versus Bristol City
- The Red Dragons versus North End
League One
- The Bluebirds versus Stevenage
Latest Lineup Updates
Coventry v Ipswich Team News
The evening's opener, featuring the sides sitting first and third in the Championship, looks like a cracker. These are the starting elevens.
Coventry City (a 4-2-3-1 formation) Rushworth; the right-back, Woolfenden, the defender, the left-back; Torp, the captain; the winger, the attacking midfielder, the forward; Wright.
Subs: The backup keeper, Allen, the forward, Kesler-Hayden, the full-back, Latibeaudiere, Eccles, Perry, Andrews.
Ipswich (a 4-2-3-1 setup) The shot-stopper; the defender, O’Shea, Kipre, Greaves; Matusiwa, Taylor; the attacker, the playmaker, the winger; the centre-forward.
Subs: Palmer, the defender, the midfielder, Humphreys, the midfielder, Burns, the forward, Philogene-Bidace, the striker.
Referee Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: Group A Scenarios
The situation is complex. That's often the case where only some third-placed teams progress. Here’s how things look before this evening's last set of matches.
- The Atlas Lions 4pts, GD+2
- The Eagles 2 points, GD0 (with 2 goals for)
- Zambia 2 points, GD0 (with 1 goal for)
- Comoros 1pt, GD-2
To summarize, Morocco is likely safe but will want to defeat Zambia to top the group. Zambia probably need a draw or better against Morocco. Comoros probably need to overcome Mali, who will probably be okay if they get a draw.
Many possibilities, various outcomes, plenty of scenarios.
Angola v Egypt Latest
The conclusion of the second group at this Africa Cup of Nations is being covered. To avoid spoilers, it's best not to seek out that information.
Championship Table 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 |
