The Sky Blues v The Tractor Boys, Leicester versus Derby, and Additional Football League Previews
Welcome to the packed evening of Football League as well as international football action. The spotlight falls on important second-tier encounters plus the crucial last group games in the Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
Opening Notes
Oh, hi folks. You are welcome to the checks writing desk rota this penultimate football clockwatch of 2025. There’s an extensive Football League programme, starting with Coventry v Ipswich at 6pm, and we’ll also be keeping a close watch on the two night fixtures from the first group at this Afcon: Morocco hosting Zambia and Comoros v Mali.
We'll be focussing on the following matches, all 19:45 kick-offs except where noted.
Afcon 2025
- The Coelacanths versus Mali (7pm)
- The Copper Bullets versus The Atlas Lions (7pm)
Second Division Matches
- Coventry v Ipswich (6pm)
- Leicester v Derby
- Middlesbrough v The Tigers
- Millwall v The Robins
- The Red Dragons v Preston
Third Tier Fixture
- The Bluebirds v Boro
Recent Lineup Updates
Ipswich at Coventry Team News
The evening's opener, between the teams who are first and third in the second tier, could be a cracker. Here are the two XIs.
Coventry (4-2-3-1) Rushworth; the right-back, Woolfenden, Kitching, the left-back; Torp, Grimes; Sakamoto, Rudoni, the forward; Wright.
Subs: The backup keeper, Allen, the forward, Kesler-Hayden, the full-back, Latibeaudiere, the midfielder, Perry, the player.
Ipswich Town (a 4-2-3-1 setup) The shot-stopper; the defender, the centre-half, Kipre, the left-back; the midfielder, the midfielder; the attacker, the playmaker, the winger; the centre-forward.
Subs: Palmer, the defender, the midfielder, Humphreys, the midfielder, the winger, the forward, Philogene-Bidace, the striker.
The official Backhouse (Cumbria).
Afcon 2025: First Group Scenarios
Look, it’s complicated. It always is where only some third-placed teams qualify. This is the current state ahead of tonight’s final round of games.
- Morocco 4pts, GD+2
- The Eagles 2pts, 0 goal difference (goals scored 2)
- Zambia 2 points, GD0 (goals scored 1)
- Comoros 1 point, -2 goal difference
To summarize, Morocco is likely safe but will want to beat Zambia to top their pool. Zambia likely requires at least a point versus Morocco. Comoros probably need to overcome their rivals, who will probably be okay with a point.
Lotta ins, lotta outs, lotta what-have-yous.
Angola v Egypt Latest
The final act to Group B at this Africa Cup of Nations is being covered. For those wishing to remain unaware, it's best not to seek out that information.
Second Tier Table 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 |
