The Sky Blues against The Tractor Boys, Leicester against Derby, along with Additional EFL Action Previews
Greetings for the packed night of EFL as well as international football fixtures. The spotlight falls on key second-tier matches and the crucial final group games in the Afcon competition.
Preamble
Oh, hi folks. You are welcome to what is reportedly the penultimate soccer clockwatch of 2025. We have an extensive EFL programme, starting with Coventry v Ipswich at 6pm, and we will also monitor a close watch on the two evening games from Group A at this Afcon: Morocco hosting Zambia and Comoros v Mali.
We'll be focussing on these fixtures, all 7.45pm start times unless stated.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- The Coelacanths versus Mali (19:00)
- Zambia v The Atlas Lions (7pm)
Second Division Matches
- The Sky Blues v The Tractor Boys (18:00)
- The Foxes v The Rams
- Middlesbrough versus The Tigers
- The Lions v The Robins
- The Red Dragons v North End
Third Tier Fixture
- Cardiff v Stevenage
Latest Lineup Updates
Coventry v Ipswich Team News
The evening's opener, between the teams who are first and third in the Championship, could be an exciting match. These are the starting elevens.
Coventry (4-2-3-1) Rushworth; the right-back, Woolfenden, Kitching, Brau; Torp, Grimes; the winger, the attacking midfielder, the forward; Wright.
Subs: Wilson, Allen, the forward, Kesler-Hayden, Bidwell, the defender, the midfielder, Perry, the player.
Ipswich (4-2-3-1) Walton; Furlong, O’Shea, the defender, Greaves; Matusiwa, Taylor; Walle, Nunez, the winger; the centre-forward.
Subs: Palmer, Young, the midfielder, Humphreys, the midfielder, Burns, McAteer, Philogene-Bidace, the striker.
Referee Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: Group A Permutations
It's a tricky picture. That's often the case where only some third-place sides progress. This is the current state before this evening's last round of matches.
- Morocco 4 points, GD+2
- The Eagles 2 points, GD0 (with 2 goals for)
- Zambia 2 points, 0 goal difference (goals scored 1)
- Comoros 1pt, -2 goal difference
In short, Morocco is likely safe though they will aim to beat Zambia and win the group. Zambia probably need at least a point against Morocco. The island nation probably need to overcome their rivals, who will probably be okay if they get a draw.
A host of potential results and permutations.
Egypt's Match with Angola Update
The conclusion of Group B at this Africa Cup of Nations is being covered. If you don’t want to know the score, avoid following that coverage.
Second Tier 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 |
