The Sky Blues v The Tractor Boys, Leicester versus Derby, and More Football Action Updates
Welcome to a full evening of Football League as well as continental football fixtures. We'll be covering important second-tier matches and those crucial final group matches in this Africa Cup of Nations competition.
Introduction
Oh, hi folks. You are welcome to the checks writing desk rota the penultimate football clockwatch of the year. We have an extensive EFL programme, kicking off with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 18:00, and we’ll also be keeping at least a third of an eye on both night fixtures from the first group at the Afcon: Morocco hosting Zambia and Comoros v Mali.
Our primary attention will be on these matches, with 19:45 kick-offs except where noted.
Afcon 2025
- Comoros v Mali (19:00)
- Zambia v The Atlas Lions (19:00)
Championship
- Coventry v Ipswich (6pm)
- The Foxes v The Rams
- Boro versus The Tigers
- Millwall versus Bristol City
- The Red Dragons v Preston
League One
- The Bluebirds versus Boro
Latest Lineup Updates
Coventry v Ipswich Team News
The early game, featuring the sides sitting top and third in the Championship, looks like a thriller. Here are the confirmed lineups.
Coventry (a 4-2-3-1 formation) Rushworth; the right-back, the centre-back, the defender, the left-back; Torp, the captain; the winger, the attacking midfielder, the forward; Wright.
Substitutes: Wilson, Allen, Simms, the defender, Bidwell, Latibeaudiere, Eccles, the youngster, Andrews.
Ipswich (a 4-2-3-1 setup) The shot-stopper; Furlong, O’Shea, Kipre, Greaves; the midfielder, the midfielder; the attacker, the playmaker, Jack Clarke; the centre-forward.
Substitutes: Palmer, the defender, the midfielder, the defender, Cajuste, the winger, the forward, the attacker, Akpom.
Referee Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Afcon 2025: First Group Permutations
Look, it’s complicated. It always is where only some third-place teams progress. This is the current state ahead of tonight’s final set of matches.
- Morocco 4 points, GD+2
- Mali 2pts, GD0 (with 2 goals for)
- The Copper Bullets 2 points, 0 goal difference (with 1 goal for)
- Comoros 1 point, GD-2
In short, Morocco are probably fine though they will aim to beat Zambia and win the group. Zambia likely requires at least a point against Morocco. Comoros likely must to overcome Mali, who will probably be okay with a point.
Lotta ins, lotta outs, lotta what-have-yous.
Angola v Egypt Update
The final act of the second group at the continental championship is being covered. To avoid spoilers, it's best not to seek out that information.
Second Tier 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 |
