The Sky Blues v The Tractor Boys, Leicester against The Rams, along with Additional Football League Updates
Welcome to the busy night of EFL as well as continental football fixtures. The spotlight falls on major Championship clashes plus those pivotal last pool games in the Africa Cup of Nations competition.
Opening Notes
Greetings to all. Welcome to the checks writing desk rota this second-to-last football clockwatch of 2025. There’s an extensive Football League slate, starting with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 18:00, while we’ll also be keeping a close watch on the two evening games from the first group at the Afcon: Morocco hosting Zambia as well as Mali facing Comoros.
We'll be focussing on these fixtures, all 19:45 start times unless stated.
Afcon 2025
- Comoros versus The Eagles (19:00)
- Zambia versus The Atlas Lions (19:00)
Championship
- The Sky Blues v Ipswich (6pm)
- The Foxes versus The Rams
- Middlesbrough v The Tigers
- Millwall versus Bristol City
- The Red Dragons v North End
League One
- Cardiff versus Boro
Latest Lineup Updates
Coventry v Ipswich Confirmed Lineups
The early game, between the teams who are top and third in the Championship, looks like a cracker. Here are the two XIs.
Coventry (4-2-3-1) Rushworth; the right-back, the centre-back, Kitching, Brau; Torp, the captain; the winger, Rudoni, Mason-Clark; the striker.
Substitutes: The backup keeper, the midfielder, Simms, the defender, Bidwell, Latibeaudiere, Eccles, the youngster, the player.
Ipswich (a 4-2-3-1 setup) The shot-stopper; Furlong, the centre-half, the defender, Greaves; Matusiwa, the midfielder; the attacker, Nunez, Jack Clarke; Azon.
Substitutes: Palmer, Young, the midfielder, Humphreys, Cajuste, the winger, the forward, the attacker, the striker.
The official Anthony Backhouse (Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: Group A Scenarios
It's a tricky picture. It always is where only some third-place teams qualify. Here’s how things look before this evening's last set of matches.
- Morocco 4pts, GD+2
- Mali 2pts, GD0 (goals scored 2)
- Zambia 2 points, GD0 (with 1 goal for)
- Comoros 1pt, GD-2
In short, Morocco is likely safe but will want to beat their opponents to win their pool. Zambia probably need at least a point versus Morocco. The island nation probably must to beat their rivals, who should advance if they get a draw.
A host of potential results and permutations.
Egypt's Match with Angola Update
The conclusion of Group B at this continental championship is being covered. For those wishing to remain unaware, 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 |
