The Sky Blues v Ipswich, Leicester versus The Rams, along with More EFL League Previews

Hello for a busy evening of EFL and continental soccer fixtures. Our focus includes important second-tier encounters and those crucial last group matches in the Afcon tournament.

Opening Notes

Greetings to all. Welcome to the arguably the penultimate football clockwatch of 2025. We have a full Football League programme, starting with Coventry v Ipswich at 6pm, and we will also monitor at least a third of an eye on the two night games from Group A at the Africa Cup of Nations: Zambia against the hosts Morocco and Comoros v Mali.

We'll be focussing on these games, all 7.45pm kick-offs except where noted.

Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures

• The Coelacanths v The Eagles (19:00)
• The Copper Bullets v Morocco (19:00)

Championship

• Coventry v Ipswich (6pm)
• The Foxes versus Derby
• Middlesbrough versus The Tigers
• The Lions v The Robins
• Wrexham v North End

Third Tier Fixture

• The Bluebirds v Boro

Recent Team News

Coventry v Ipswich Team News

The evening's opener, between the teams who are top and third in the Championship, promises to be a thriller. Here are the two XIs.

Coventry (a 4-2-3-1 formation) The goalkeeper; van Ewijk, the centre-back, Kitching, Brau; the midfielder, Grimes; Sakamoto, Rudoni, Mason-Clark; the striker.

Subs: The backup keeper, the midfielder, Simms, Kesler-Hayden, Bidwell, the defender, the midfielder, Perry, Andrews.

Ipswich (a 4-2-3-1 setup) The shot-stopper; the defender, O’Shea, Kipre, the left-back; Matusiwa, Taylor; the attacker, the playmaker, the winger; Azon.

Substitutes: The goalkeeper, Young, Johnson, Humphreys, the midfielder, the winger, the forward, the attacker, Akpom.

The official Anthony Backhouse (from Cumbria).

Afcon 2025: First Group Scenarios

The situation is complex. That's often the case when some but not all third-placed teams progress. This is the current state before this evening's last set of games.

• Morocco 4pts, +2 goal difference
• Mali 2 points, GD0 (with 2 goals for)
• The Copper Bullets 2pts, GD0 (with 1 goal for)
• Comoros 1 point, GD-2

Briefly, Morocco is likely safe though they will aim to beat their opponents and win their pool. Zambia probably need a draw or better against Morocco. The island nation likely need to beat their rivals, who should advance if they get a draw.

Many possibilities, various outcomes, plenty of scenarios.

Angola v Egypt Latest

The conclusion to Group B at this continental championship has coverage elsewhere. If you don’t want to know the score, don’t click the link.

Championship Standings Snapshot