The Sky Blues v Ipswich, The Foxes v The Rams, and Additional Football Action Updates
Hello to the full evening of Football League as well as continental football fixtures. The spotlight falls on major Championship clashes and those crucial final pool matches in the Africa Cup of Nations competition.
Introduction
Hello everyone. You are welcome to what is arguably this second-to-last football clockwatch of the year. There’s an extensive EFL slate, kicking off with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 18:00, and we will also monitor a close watch on both evening games from the first group at this Africa Cup of Nations: Morocco hosting Zambia as well as Comoros v Mali.
We'll be focussing on these matches, with 7.45pm kick-offs except where noted.
Afcon 2025
- Comoros versus The Eagles (7pm)
- Zambia versus Morocco (19:00)
Second Division Matches
- Coventry v The Tractor Boys (6pm)
- Leicester v The Rams
- Middlesbrough versus The Tigers
- The Lions v Bristol City
- The Red Dragons v North End
Third Tier Fixture
- The Bluebirds v Boro
Recent Lineup Updates
Ipswich at Coventry Team News
The early game, featuring the sides sitting top and third in the second tier, looks like a cracker. These are the starting elevens.
Coventry City (4-2-3-1) Rushworth; van Ewijk, the centre-back, Kitching, Brau; Torp, Grimes; Sakamoto, Rudoni, the forward; the striker.
Substitutes: Wilson, Allen, the forward, Kesler-Hayden, the full-back, Latibeaudiere, Eccles, Perry, Andrews.
Ipswich Town (a 4-2-3-1 setup) Walton; Furlong, the centre-half, the defender, Greaves; Matusiwa, the midfielder; the attacker, the playmaker, Jack Clarke; Azon.
Substitutes: Palmer, the defender, Johnson, the defender, the midfielder, Burns, McAteer, Philogene-Bidace, the striker.
The official Anthony Backhouse (Cumbria).
Afcon 2025: Group A Scenarios
It's a tricky picture. It always is when some but not all third-placed teams qualify. This is the current state before tonight’s last round of games.
- Morocco 4pts, +2 goal difference
- The Eagles 2 points, 0 goal difference (goals scored 2)
- The Copper Bullets 2 points, 0 goal difference (with 1 goal for)
- Comoros 1 point, GD-2
Briefly, Morocco are probably fine but will want to beat Zambia to top the group. Zambia likely requires a draw or better versus Morocco. 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 denouement to Group B at this Africa Cup of Nations has coverage elsewhere. To avoid spoilers, it's best not to seek out that information.
Championship 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 |
