Coventry versus Ipswich, The Foxes v The Rams, and More EFL Action Previews
Welcome for the full night of Football League as well as international football fixtures. Our focus includes important Championship encounters plus the crucial final group games in the Afcon tournament.
Opening Notes
Oh, hi folks. You are welcome to what is arguably this second-to-last football clockwatch of the year. We have an extensive Football League schedule, starting with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 18:00, and we’ll also be keeping a close watch on both evening fixtures from the first group at the Afcon: Morocco hosting Zambia and Comoros v Mali.
We'll be focussing on these games, all 19:45 start times except where noted.
Afcon 2025
- Comoros v The Eagles (7pm)
- Zambia versus The Atlas Lions (7pm)
Championship
- The Sky Blues v The Tractor Boys (6pm)
- The Foxes v Derby
- Boro v The Tigers
- Millwall v Bristol City
- Wrexham versus North End
League One
- The Bluebirds versus Boro
Latest Team News
Ipswich at Coventry Team News
The evening's opener, between the teams who are first and third in the Championship, promises to be an exciting match. These are the two XIs.
Coventry City (4-2-3-1) Rushworth; the right-back, the centre-back, Kitching, Brau; the midfielder, the captain; Sakamoto, the attacking midfielder, Mason-Clark; the striker.
Subs: Wilson, Allen, Simms, Kesler-Hayden, Bidwell, the defender, Eccles, Perry, Andrews.
Ipswich Town (a 4-2-3-1 setup) Walton; the defender, the centre-half, the defender, the left-back; the midfielder, Taylor; Walle, the playmaker, Jack Clarke; the centre-forward.
Subs: The goalkeeper, the defender, Johnson, the defender, the midfielder, Burns, the forward, Philogene-Bidace, the striker.
Referee Backhouse (Cumbria).
Afcon 2025: Group A Scenarios
The situation is complex. It always is when some but not all third-placed sides progress. Here’s how things look before this evening's final round of matches.
- The Atlas Lions 4 points, GD+2
- Mali 2 points, GD0 (with 2 goals for)
- Zambia 2pts, GD0 (goals scored 1)
- The Coelacanths 1pt, -2 goal difference
To summarize, Morocco are probably fine though they will aim to beat their opponents and win their pool. Zambia likely requires a draw or better against the hosts. Comoros probably need to overcome their rivals, who will probably be okay with a draw.
Lotta ins, lotta outs, lotta what-have-yous.
Egypt's Match with Angola Update
The conclusion to Group B at the Africa Cup of Nations has coverage elsewhere. To avoid spoilers, don’t click the link.
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 |
