The Sky Blues versus Ipswich, The Foxes v The Rams, along with More EFL League Updates
Greetings for a busy night of EFL as well as international soccer fixtures. Our focus includes major second-tier clashes plus those pivotal last pool games in this Afcon tournament.
Opening Notes
Hello everyone. You are welcome to what is checks writing desk rota this penultimate football clockwatch of 2025. We have a full Football League slate, starting with Coventry v Ipswich at 6pm, and we’ll also be keeping a close watch on the two night games from the first group at this Afcon: Morocco hosting Zambia as well as Comoros v Mali.
We'll be focussing on these games, with 7.45pm kick-offs unless stated.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- The Coelacanths v The Eagles (7pm)
- Zambia versus Morocco (19:00)
Second Division Matches
- Coventry versus Ipswich (18:00)
- The Foxes v The Rams
- Middlesbrough versus Hull
- The Lions versus Bristol City
- Wrexham versus Preston
League One
- Cardiff versus Boro
Recent Team News
Ipswich at Coventry Confirmed Lineups
The evening's opener, featuring the sides sitting top and third in the Championship, looks like a cracker. Here are the confirmed lineups.
Coventry (a 4-2-3-1 formation) Rushworth; van Ewijk, the centre-back, Kitching, the left-back; Torp, the captain; the winger, Rudoni, the forward; the striker.
Substitutes: Wilson, Allen, the forward, the defender, the full-back, Latibeaudiere, the midfielder, the youngster, the player.
Ipswich (a 4-2-3-1 setup) Walton; the defender, the centre-half, Kipre, the left-back; the midfielder, the midfielder; Walle, Nunez, Jack Clarke; the centre-forward.
Subs: Palmer, Young, Johnson, the defender, Cajuste, Burns, the forward, Philogene-Bidace, Akpom.
The official Backhouse (Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: Group A Scenarios
Look, it’s complicated. That's often the case where only some third-place sides qualify. Here’s how things look ahead of this evening's last round of games.
- The Atlas Lions 4pts, +2 goal difference
- The Eagles 2pts, 0 goal difference (with 2 goals for)
- The Copper Bullets 2pts, 0 goal difference (goals scored 1)
- The Coelacanths 1 point, -2 goal difference
In short, Morocco is likely safe though they will aim to beat their opponents and top their pool. Zambia likely requires a draw or better against the hosts. The island nation likely must to overcome Mali, who will probably be okay if they get a draw.
Many possibilities, various outcomes, plenty of scenarios.
Angola v Egypt Update
The final act to Group B at this Africa Cup of Nations has coverage elsewhere. To avoid spoilers, 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 |
