The Sky Blues versus Ipswich, Leicester against The Rams, and More EFL League Previews
Hello for a full evening of EFL as well as international soccer fixtures. Our focus includes major Championship clashes plus the pivotal last pool matches in this Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
Opening Notes
Oh, hi folks. Welcome to what is reportedly the penultimate soccer clockwatch of 2025. There’s an extensive Football League schedule, kicking off with Coventry v Ipswich at 18:00, and we’ll also be keeping at least a third of an eye on both night games from the first group at this Afcon: Zambia against the hosts Morocco as well as Comoros v Mali.
Our primary attention will be on the following fixtures, all 7.45pm kick-offs unless stated.
Afcon 2025
- Comoros versus The Eagles (19:00)
- Zambia versus The Atlas Lions (7pm)
Championship
- Coventry v The Tractor Boys (6pm)
- The Foxes versus Derby
- Boro versus The Tigers
- The Lions versus The Robins
- Wrexham v Preston
League One
- Cardiff v Boro
Recent Team News
Coventry v Ipswich Confirmed Lineups
The evening's opener, between the teams who are top and third in the Championship, looks like a thriller. Here are the starting elevens.
Coventry (a 4-2-3-1 formation) Rushworth; van Ewijk, Woolfenden, the defender, the left-back; the midfielder, Grimes; Sakamoto, Rudoni, the forward; Wright.
Substitutes: Wilson, Allen, Simms, Kesler-Hayden, Bidwell, the defender, the midfielder, Perry, Andrews.
Ipswich (a 4-2-3-1 setup) The shot-stopper; Furlong, O’Shea, the defender, the left-back; the midfielder, Taylor; the attacker, Nunez, Jack Clarke; Azon.
Subs: Palmer, the defender, Johnson, the defender, the midfielder, the winger, McAteer, the attacker, Akpom.
The official Anthony Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: First Group Permutations
Look, it’s complicated. It always is when some but not all third-place teams qualify. This is the current state before this evening's final round of matches.
- The Atlas Lions 4 points, GD+2
- Mali 2 points, 0 goal difference (with 2 goals for)
- Zambia 2pts, GD0 (goals scored 1)
- The Coelacanths 1pt, -2 goal difference
To summarize, Morocco is likely safe but will want to defeat Zambia to top the group. Zambia likely requires at least a point against the hosts. The island nation likely must to beat their rivals, who should advance if they get a point.
A host of potential results and permutations.
Angola v Egypt Latest
The final act to the second group at the continental championship is being covered. 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 |
