The Sky Blues v Ipswich, Leicester v The Rams, and Additional Football Action Updates
Greetings for a full night of Football League and continental soccer fixtures. Our focus includes important Championship matches plus the pivotal final group games in the Africa Cup of Nations competition.
Opening Notes
Oh, hi folks. You are welcome to the arguably the penultimate football clockwatch of 2025. We have a full Football League programme, starting with Coventry v Ipswich at 18:00, while we will also monitor at least a third of an eye on both evening games from the first group at the Africa Cup of Nations: Zambia against the hosts Morocco as well as Mali facing Comoros.
Our primary attention will be on these fixtures, all 7.45pm start times except where noted.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- The Coelacanths versus Mali (7pm)
- Zambia versus Morocco (19:00)
Second Division Matches
- The Sky Blues v The Tractor Boys (18:00)
- Leicester versus The Rams
- Boro v The Tigers
- The Lions v The Robins
- The Red Dragons v North End
Third Tier Fixture
- Cardiff versus Boro
Recent Lineup Updates
Ipswich at Coventry Team News
The evening's opener, featuring the sides sitting top and third in the Championship, promises to be a thriller. Here are the starting elevens.
Coventry City (a 4-2-3-1 formation) Rushworth; the right-back, Woolfenden, the defender, Brau; Torp, Grimes; Sakamoto, Rudoni, Mason-Clark; Wright.
Substitutes: Wilson, Allen, Simms, the defender, Bidwell, Latibeaudiere, the midfielder, Perry, Andrews.
Ipswich (a 4-2-3-1 setup) Walton; Furlong, the centre-half, Kipre, the left-back; Matusiwa, Taylor; the attacker, the playmaker, Jack Clarke; Azon.
Substitutes: The goalkeeper, Young, Johnson, Humphreys, the midfielder, the winger, McAteer, Philogene-Bidace, Akpom.
The official Anthony Backhouse (Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: First Group Scenarios
The situation is complex. That's often the case when some but not all third-placed sides qualify. This is the current state before tonight’s final set of games.
- The Atlas Lions 4 points, +2 goal difference
- The Eagles 2pts, GD0 (goals scored 2)
- The Copper Bullets 2 points, 0 goal difference (with 1 goal for)
- Comoros 1 point, -2 goal difference
To summarize, Morocco is likely safe though they will aim to defeat their opponents and top the group. Zambia probably need at least a point versus Morocco. Comoros likely need to overcome their rivals, who should advance with a draw.
Lotta ins, lotta outs, lotta what-have-yous.
Angola v Egypt Update
The denouement of Group B at this Africa Cup of Nations is being covered. If you don’t want to know the score, 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 |
