Coventry versus Ipswich, The Foxes against Derby, and More Football League Previews
Greetings to the busy evening of Football League as well as continental soccer action. We'll be covering major Championship clashes and the pivotal final group matches in this Africa Cup of Nations competition.
Introduction
Oh, hi folks. You are welcome to the reportedly the second-to-last football clockwatch of 2025. There’s an extensive EFL schedule, starting with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 18:00, and we’ll also be keeping at least a third of an eye on the two night games from Group A at the Afcon: Zambia against the hosts Morocco as well as Mali facing Comoros.
Our primary attention will be on the following fixtures, with 19:45 kick-offs unless stated.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- Comoros v Mali (7pm)
- The Copper Bullets v Morocco (7pm)
Championship
- Coventry versus Ipswich (18:00)
- Leicester versus The Rams
- Middlesbrough versus The Tigers
- The Lions versus The Robins
- The Red Dragons versus North End
League One
- The Bluebirds v Stevenage
Latest Team News
Ipswich at Coventry Confirmed Lineups
The early game, featuring the sides sitting first and third in the Championship, promises to be an exciting match. Here are the starting elevens.
Coventry City (4-2-3-1) Rushworth; the right-back, Woolfenden, Kitching, the left-back; Torp, the captain; the winger, Rudoni, Mason-Clark; Wright.
Subs: The backup keeper, Allen, the forward, Kesler-Hayden, the full-back, Latibeaudiere, the midfielder, the youngster, Andrews.
Ipswich Town (4-2-3-1) Walton; the defender, the centre-half, Kipre, Greaves; the midfielder, Taylor; Walle, the playmaker, the winger; the centre-forward.
Substitutes: Palmer, Young, Johnson, Humphreys, the midfielder, Burns, the forward, the attacker, the striker.
Referee Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: First Group Scenarios
It's a tricky picture. That's often the case when some but not all third-placed sides progress. This is the current state ahead of tonight’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)
- Comoros 1 point, -2 goal difference
To summarize, Morocco is likely safe but will want to defeat Zambia and win the group. Zambia likely requires at least a point versus Morocco. Comoros probably must to beat Mali, who should advance with a draw.
A host of potential results and permutations.
Angola v Egypt Update
The conclusion of the second group at this continental championship has coverage elsewhere. For those wishing to remain unaware, 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 |
