Coventry v Ipswich, The Foxes v The Rams, along with More Football Action Updates
Hello to a busy night of EFL and international football action. The spotlight falls on important second-tier encounters and the pivotal last group matches in the Africa Cup of Nations competition.
Opening Notes
Oh, hi folks. Welcome to the reportedly this penultimate football clockwatch of 2025. There’s an extensive Football League programme, starting with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 18:00, and we’ll also be keeping a close watch on both night fixtures from Group A at this Afcon: Zambia against the hosts Morocco as well as Mali facing Comoros.
We'll be focussing on the following games, all 19:45 kick-offs except where noted.
Afcon 2025
- The Coelacanths versus Mali (19:00)
- Zambia versus Morocco (7pm)
Championship
- The Sky Blues versus The Tractor Boys (18:00)
- The Foxes v The Rams
- Middlesbrough versus Hull
- The Lions versus The Robins
- Wrexham versus Preston
League One
- Cardiff v Boro
Recent Lineup Updates
Coventry v Ipswich Confirmed Lineups
The evening's opener, between the teams who are first and third in the second tier, promises to be an exciting match. Here are the starting elevens.
Coventry City (a 4-2-3-1 formation) Rushworth; van Ewijk, the centre-back, the defender, the left-back; the midfielder, the captain; the winger, the attacking midfielder, Mason-Clark; Wright.
Subs: Wilson, Allen, the forward, the defender, the full-back, the defender, Eccles, Perry, the player.
Ipswich (a 4-2-3-1 setup) The shot-stopper; Furlong, O’Shea, Kipre, the left-back; Matusiwa, Taylor; Walle, Nunez, Jack Clarke; the centre-forward.
Subs: Palmer, Young, the midfielder, Humphreys, Cajuste, Burns, McAteer, the attacker, Akpom.
Referee Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: First Group Scenarios
The situation is complex. It always is when some but not all third-placed teams qualify. Here’s how things look ahead of tonight’s last round of games.
- The Atlas Lions 4 points, GD+2
- Mali 2pts, 0 goal difference (goals scored 2)
- The Copper Bullets 2pts, GD0 (with 1 goal for)
- The Coelacanths 1pt, -2 goal difference
In short, Morocco are probably fine but will want to beat their opponents and win the group. Zambia probably need at least a point versus the hosts. The island nation probably need to beat Mali, who will probably be okay if they get a draw.
A host of potential results and permutations.
Angola v Egypt Latest
The final act of the second group at the continental championship is being covered. For those wishing to remain unaware, it's best not to seek out that information.
Second Tier Standings 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 |
