The Sky Blues versus The Tractor Boys, Leicester against Derby, along with More EFL Action Updates
Greetings for a packed night of EFL as well as continental soccer fixtures. We'll be covering key second-tier clashes and the pivotal final pool games in the Afcon competition.
Opening Notes
Hello everyone. Welcome to what is arguably the second-to-last soccer clockwatch of 2025. We have a full EFL 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 this Afcon: Zambia against the hosts Morocco and Mali facing Comoros.
Our primary attention will be on these fixtures, all 7.45pm start times unless stated.
Afcon 2025
- Comoros v Mali (19:00)
- Zambia v Morocco (19:00)
Championship
- The Sky Blues v The Tractor Boys (6pm)
- The Foxes v Derby
- Boro versus Hull
- Millwall v The Robins
- The Red Dragons v North End
Third Tier Fixture
- Cardiff versus Stevenage
Recent Lineup Updates
Ipswich at Coventry Team News
The evening's opener, between the teams who are first and third in the Championship, could be an exciting match. These are the starting elevens.
Coventry City (a 4-2-3-1 formation) Rushworth; the right-back, the centre-back, Kitching, Brau; the midfielder, Grimes; the winger, Rudoni, the forward; the striker.
Subs: Wilson, the midfielder, the forward, the defender, the full-back, the defender, the midfielder, the youngster, the player.
Ipswich Town (4-2-3-1) Walton; Furlong, the centre-half, the defender, Greaves; the midfielder, the midfielder; the attacker, the playmaker, the winger; Azon.
Substitutes: The goalkeeper, Young, Johnson, the defender, Cajuste, the winger, McAteer, Philogene-Bidace, the striker.
Referee Backhouse (Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: First Group Scenarios
Look, it’s complicated. That's often the case when some but not all third-place teams progress. This is the current state before this evening's last round of games.
- Morocco 4 points, GD+2
- Mali 2pts, GD0 (goals scored 2)
- The Copper Bullets 2 points, 0 goal difference (with 1 goal for)
- Comoros 1 point, GD-2
Briefly, Morocco is likely safe but will want to defeat Zambia and win their pool. Zambia likely requires at least a point versus Morocco. Comoros probably need to beat their rivals, who will probably be okay with a draw.
Lotta ins, lotta outs, lotta what-have-yous.
Egypt's Match with Angola Latest
The conclusion to the second group at the continental championship has coverage elsewhere. If you don’t want to know the score, avoid following that coverage.
Second Tier 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 |
