Coventry against The Tractor Boys, The Foxes v The Rams, and More EFL Action Updates
Welcome to the busy night of EFL as well as international soccer action. We'll be covering key Championship encounters and the crucial final group matches in this Afcon tournament.
Preamble
Oh, hi folks. You are welcome to the checks writing desk rota the penultimate football clockwatch of 2025. We have a full EFL schedule, kicking off with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 18:00, while we’ll also be keeping at least a third of an eye on the two night fixtures from the first group at the Afcon: Morocco hosting Zambia as well as Mali facing Comoros.
We'll be focussing on the following fixtures, all 19:45 kick-offs except where noted.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- Comoros versus Mali (7pm)
- Zambia v Morocco (19:00)
Championship
- The Sky Blues versus The Tractor Boys (18:00)
- The Foxes v Derby
- Middlesbrough versus The Tigers
- The Lions v The Robins
- Wrexham v Preston
League One
- Cardiff v Stevenage
Recent Team News
Ipswich at Coventry Confirmed Lineups
The early game, between the teams who are first and third in the second tier, looks like an exciting match. These are the starting elevens.
Coventry City (a 4-2-3-1 formation) Rushworth; van Ewijk, Woolfenden, Kitching, Brau; the midfielder, Grimes; Sakamoto, the attacking midfielder, the forward; the striker.
Subs: The backup keeper, the midfielder, the forward, Kesler-Hayden, Bidwell, Latibeaudiere, the midfielder, the youngster, Andrews.
Ipswich Town (4-2-3-1) The shot-stopper; the defender, the centre-half, the defender, the left-back; the midfielder, the midfielder; Walle, the playmaker, Jack Clarke; the centre-forward.
Subs: The goalkeeper, the defender, Johnson, Humphreys, the midfielder, the winger, McAteer, the attacker, the striker.
The official Anthony Backhouse (Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: First Group Permutations
It's a tricky picture. It always is where only some third-place sides qualify. This is the current state before this evening's last set of games.
- Morocco 4pts, GD+2
- The Eagles 2pts, GD0 (with 2 goals for)
- The Copper Bullets 2 points, GD0 (with 1 goal for)
- Comoros 1pt, -2 goal difference
To summarize, Morocco is likely safe but will want to beat their opponents to win the group. Zambia likely requires at least a point against Morocco. Comoros probably need to beat their rivals, who should advance if they get a draw.
A host of potential results and permutations.
Angola v Egypt Update
The denouement to Group B at this Africa Cup of Nations is being covered. For those wishing to remain unaware, don’t click the link.
Championship 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 |
