Coventry versus Ipswich, Leicester against Derby, along with More Football Action Previews
Welcome to a full night of Football League as well as international soccer action. We'll be covering major Championship matches and the crucial last pool matches in the Africa Cup of Nations competition.
Preamble
Greetings to all. Welcome to the checks writing desk rota the penultimate soccer clockwatch of 2025. There’s an extensive Football League schedule, kicking off with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 6pm, and we’ll also be keeping at least a third of an eye on both night fixtures from Group A at the Africa Cup of Nations: Morocco hosting Zambia and Mali facing Comoros.
Our primary attention will be on the following matches, with 7.45pm start times unless stated.
Afcon 2025
- The Coelacanths versus Mali (19:00)
- The Copper Bullets versus The Atlas Lions (19:00)
Championship
- Coventry versus Ipswich (18:00)
- The Foxes v The Rams
- Middlesbrough v The Tigers
- Millwall v The Robins
- The Red Dragons versus North End
Third Tier Fixture
- The Bluebirds versus Stevenage
Recent Lineup Updates
Ipswich at Coventry Team News
The early game, between the teams who are first and third in the Championship, looks like a thriller. These are the confirmed lineups.
Coventry (a 4-2-3-1 formation) The goalkeeper; van Ewijk, the centre-back, the defender, Brau; the midfielder, the captain; Sakamoto, the attacking midfielder, the forward; Wright.
Substitutes: The backup keeper, Allen, the forward, the defender, the full-back, the defender, Eccles, the youngster, Andrews.
Ipswich (4-2-3-1) Walton; the defender, the centre-half, the defender, Greaves; Matusiwa, the midfielder; the attacker, the playmaker, Jack Clarke; the centre-forward.
Substitutes: The goalkeeper, Young, Johnson, Humphreys, Cajuste, Burns, the forward, the attacker, Akpom.
The official Anthony Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Afcon 2025: Group A Permutations
Look, it’s complicated. That's often the case when some but not all third-placed sides qualify. Here’s how things look ahead of this evening's final set of games.
- Morocco 4pts, +2 goal difference
- The Eagles 2 points, 0 goal difference (goals scored 2)
- Zambia 2pts, 0 goal difference (goals scored 1)
- Comoros 1pt, GD-2
To summarize, Morocco is likely safe but will want to beat Zambia to win their pool. Zambia probably need a draw or better against Morocco. Comoros probably need to overcome Mali, who should advance with a point.
A host of potential results and permutations.
Angola v Egypt Update
The final act of the second group at this continental championship is being covered. For those wishing to remain unaware, it's best not to seek out that information.
Championship Table 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 |
