The Sky Blues v Ipswich, The Foxes versus The Rams, along with More EFL Action Updates
Welcome to a packed evening of Football League and international soccer fixtures. Our focus includes major Championship clashes and the pivotal last pool games in this Afcon tournament.
Introduction
Hello everyone. Welcome to the checks writing desk rota this penultimate soccer clockwatch of 2025. There’s a full Football League schedule, kicking off with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 6pm, while we’ll also be keeping a close watch on both night games from Group A at the Africa Cup of Nations: Morocco hosting Zambia and Comoros v Mali.
Our primary attention will be on the following matches, with 19:45 kick-offs except where noted.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- The Coelacanths versus The Eagles (7pm)
- Zambia v The Atlas Lions (7pm)
Championship
- The Sky Blues v The Tractor Boys (6pm)
- The Foxes versus Derby
- Boro v The Tigers
- Millwall versus The Robins
- The Red Dragons v Preston
Third Tier Fixture
- The Bluebirds v Stevenage
Recent Lineup Updates
Ipswich at Coventry Confirmed Lineups
The early game, featuring the sides sitting first and third in the second tier, looks like an exciting match. Here are the confirmed lineups.
Coventry City (4-2-3-1) Rushworth; the right-back, the centre-back, the defender, Brau; Torp, Grimes; the winger, Rudoni, Mason-Clark; Wright.
Subs: The backup keeper, Allen, Simms, the defender, Bidwell, the defender, Eccles, Perry, the player.
Ipswich (a 4-2-3-1 setup) The shot-stopper; the defender, the centre-half, the defender, Greaves; Matusiwa, the midfielder; the attacker, Nunez, the winger; Azon.
Subs: The goalkeeper, Young, the midfielder, the defender, Cajuste, Burns, McAteer, the attacker, Akpom.
The official Backhouse (Cumbria).
Afcon 2025: Group A Permutations
It's a tricky picture. That's often the case when some but not all third-place teams progress. Here’s how things look ahead of this evening's last round of matches.
- Morocco 4pts, GD+2
- The Eagles 2pts, 0 goal difference (goals scored 2)
- Zambia 2pts, 0 goal difference (goals scored 1)
- The Coelacanths 1 point, -2 goal difference
Briefly, Morocco is likely safe but will want to beat their opponents to top the group. Zambia probably need at least a point versus Morocco. The island nation probably must to overcome Mali, who should advance if they get a draw.
A host of potential results and permutations.
Egypt's Match with Angola Update
The denouement of the second group at this continental championship has coverage elsewhere. If you don’t want to know the score, don’t click the link.
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 |
