The Sky Blues v Ipswich, The Foxes against Derby, and Additional Football League Previews
Hello to a full night of Football League as well as international football fixtures. Our focus includes major Championship clashes and the crucial final group matches in the Africa Cup of Nations competition.
Opening Notes
Greetings to all. Welcome to the reportedly this 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 the two night fixtures from Group A at this Africa Cup of Nations: Zambia against the hosts Morocco and Comoros v Mali.
We'll be focussing on the following games, with 7.45pm start times unless stated.
Afcon 2025
- Comoros versus Mali (7pm)
- Zambia v The Atlas Lions (19:00)
Championship
- The Sky Blues versus Ipswich (6pm)
- The Foxes v The Rams
- Boro v The Tigers
- The Lions v Bristol City
- Wrexham v North End
Third Tier Fixture
- Cardiff v Boro
Recent Team News
Coventry v Ipswich Team News
The early game, between the teams who are first and third in the second tier, could be a thriller. These are the two XIs.
Coventry (4-2-3-1) The goalkeeper; the right-back, Woolfenden, Kitching, the left-back; the midfielder, the captain; Sakamoto, Rudoni, the forward; the striker.
Substitutes: Wilson, the midfielder, the forward, Kesler-Hayden, the full-back, Latibeaudiere, Eccles, Perry, the player.
Ipswich (a 4-2-3-1 setup) The shot-stopper; the defender, the centre-half, Kipre, Greaves; Matusiwa, the midfielder; the attacker, the playmaker, Jack Clarke; the centre-forward.
Subs: Palmer, Young, Johnson, the defender, Cajuste, Burns, the forward, Philogene-Bidace, Akpom.
The official Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: Group A Scenarios
The situation is complex. It always is when some but not all third-placed teams progress. This is the current state ahead of this evening's last round of matches.
- Morocco 4 points, GD+2
- Mali 2 points, 0 goal difference (with 2 goals for)
- Zambia 2pts, GD0 (goals scored 1)
- Comoros 1pt, -2 goal difference
Briefly, Morocco are probably fine though they will aim to defeat Zambia to top the group. Zambia likely requires at least a point against Morocco. The island nation likely must to overcome their rivals, who will probably be okay if they get a draw.
A host of potential results and permutations.
Angola v Egypt Latest
The final act of the second group at this continental championship has coverage elsewhere. For those wishing to remain unaware, 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 |
