The Sky Blues against Ipswich, Leicester v Derby, and Additional EFL League Previews
Greetings to the full night of EFL as well as international soccer fixtures. We'll be covering key second-tier clashes and those crucial last pool games in this Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
Introduction
Hello everyone. Welcome to the arguably the second-to-last soccer clockwatch of 2025. There’s an extensive EFL schedule, kicking off with Coventry v Ipswich 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 as well as Comoros v Mali.
We'll be focussing on the following fixtures, with 19:45 kick-offs except where noted.
Afcon 2025
- Comoros v Mali (19:00)
- Zambia v Morocco (7pm)
Championship
- Coventry versus Ipswich (6pm)
- The Foxes v Derby
- Boro versus The Tigers
- Millwall versus Bristol City
- The Red Dragons v Preston
Third Tier Fixture
- Cardiff versus Boro
Latest Team News
Coventry v Ipswich Team News
The evening's opener, between the teams who are first and third in the second tier, looks like a cracker. Here are the two XIs.
Coventry City (4-2-3-1) Rushworth; the right-back, the centre-back, the defender, the left-back; the midfielder, the captain; Sakamoto, Rudoni, Mason-Clark; Wright.
Subs: Wilson, Allen, Simms, the defender, the full-back, the defender, Eccles, the youngster, the player.
Ipswich Town (a 4-2-3-1 setup) Walton; Furlong, the centre-half, the defender, the left-back; Matusiwa, Taylor; the attacker, the playmaker, Jack Clarke; the centre-forward.
Subs: Palmer, Young, the midfielder, the defender, Cajuste, the winger, McAteer, Philogene-Bidace, Akpom.
Referee Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: Group A Permutations
The situation is complex. That's often the case when some but not all third-placed sides qualify. Here’s how things look before this evening's final round of games.
- The Atlas Lions 4 points, +2 goal difference
- Mali 2 points, GD0 (with 2 goals for)
- Zambia 2 points, GD0 (goals scored 1)
- The Coelacanths 1pt, GD-2
To summarize, Morocco are probably fine though they will aim to beat Zambia to top the group. Zambia probably need a draw or better against Morocco. Comoros likely must to overcome their rivals, who should advance if they get a draw.
Many possibilities, various outcomes, plenty of scenarios.
Egypt's Match with Angola Latest
The final act of Group B at the continental championship has coverage elsewhere. To avoid spoilers, don’t click the link.
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 |
