The Sky Blues versus The Tractor Boys, Leicester against Derby, and More EFL Action Updates
Hello to a packed evening of EFL as well as continental football action. The spotlight falls on key Championship clashes plus those pivotal last pool games in this Africa Cup of Nations competition.
Preamble
Hello everyone. You are welcome to the reportedly this second-to-last football clockwatch of 2025. We have an extensive EFL schedule, kicking off with Coventry v Ipswich at 18:00, while we will also monitor a close watch 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 these matches, with 7.45pm start times except where noted.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- The Coelacanths v The Eagles (7pm)
- Zambia v The Atlas Lions (19:00)
Second Division Matches
- The Sky Blues v Ipswich (6pm)
- Leicester v Derby
- Boro versus Hull
- Millwall versus Bristol City
- The Red Dragons v North End
Third Tier Fixture
- Cardiff v Boro
Latest Lineup Updates
Ipswich at Coventry Team News
The early game, featuring the sides sitting first and third in the second tier, promises to be a cracker. Here are the two XIs.
Coventry (a 4-2-3-1 formation) The goalkeeper; van Ewijk, Woolfenden, Kitching, the left-back; Torp, the captain; the winger, Rudoni, the forward; Wright.
Substitutes: Wilson, Allen, Simms, Kesler-Hayden, the full-back, Latibeaudiere, the midfielder, Perry, Andrews.
Ipswich (a 4-2-3-1 setup) The shot-stopper; the defender, the centre-half, the defender, the left-back; the midfielder, Taylor; Walle, the playmaker, Jack Clarke; Azon.
Subs: Palmer, Young, the midfielder, Humphreys, the midfielder, the winger, the forward, Philogene-Bidace, the striker.
Referee Anthony Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: Group A Permutations
Look, it’s complicated. That's often the case when some but not all third-place sides progress. This is the current state before tonight’s final round of matches.
- Morocco 4 points, +2 goal difference
- Mali 2pts, 0 goal difference (goals scored 2)
- The Copper Bullets 2pts, GD0 (with 1 goal for)
- Comoros 1pt, GD-2
Briefly, Morocco is likely safe though they will aim to beat Zambia and win their pool. Zambia probably need a draw or better against the hosts. The island nation probably must to beat their rivals, who will probably be okay with a point.
Many possibilities, various outcomes, plenty of scenarios.
Egypt's Match with Angola Update
The final act to the second group at the continental championship is being covered. If you don’t want to know the score, it's best not to seek out that information.
Second Tier Table 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 |
