The Sky Blues against Ipswich, The Foxes versus Derby, and More Football Action Updates
Welcome to a busy night of Football League as well as continental soccer action. The spotlight falls on important second-tier encounters and the pivotal last group games in the Africa Cup of Nations competition.
Introduction
Oh, hi folks. You are welcome to what is checks writing desk rota the second-to-last football clockwatch of 2025. There’s a full Football League slate, starting with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 18:00, and we’ll also be keeping at least a third of an eye on both night games from Group A at the Africa Cup of Nations: Morocco hosting Zambia as well as Mali facing Comoros.
We'll be focussing on these fixtures, with 19:45 start times except where noted.
Afcon 2025
- Comoros versus The Eagles (7pm)
- Zambia versus The Atlas Lions (19:00)
Second Division Matches
- The Sky Blues v Ipswich (6pm)
- Leicester v The Rams
- Middlesbrough v Hull
- The Lions versus Bristol City
- Wrexham versus North End
League One
- Cardiff versus Stevenage
Latest Lineup Updates
Coventry v Ipswich Team News
The early game, between the teams who are top and third in the Championship, promises to be a cracker. These are the starting elevens.
Coventry (4-2-3-1) The goalkeeper; the right-back, Woolfenden, Kitching, the left-back; Torp, Grimes; the winger, the attacking midfielder, the forward; the striker.
Substitutes: Wilson, the midfielder, the forward, Kesler-Hayden, the full-back, the defender, Eccles, the youngster, the player.
Ipswich (a 4-2-3-1 setup) Walton; Furlong, the centre-half, Kipre, the left-back; Matusiwa, the midfielder; Walle, the playmaker, Jack Clarke; Azon.
Subs: The goalkeeper, the defender, the midfielder, Humphreys, Cajuste, Burns, the forward, Philogene-Bidace, the striker.
Referee Anthony Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Afcon 2025: Group A Scenarios
Look, it’s complicated. It always is when some but not all third-placed sides progress. This is the current state before tonight’s final set of matches.
- Morocco 4pts, GD+2
- The Eagles 2pts, 0 goal difference (goals scored 2)
- Zambia 2 points, 0 goal difference (goals scored 1)
- The Coelacanths 1pt, GD-2
To summarize, Morocco are probably fine but will want to defeat Zambia and top the group. Zambia probably need a draw or better against Morocco. Comoros likely need to overcome Mali, who should advance if they get a draw.
A host of potential results and permutations.
Angola v Egypt Latest
The conclusion of the second group at the continental championship has coverage elsewhere. To avoid spoilers, avoid following that coverage.
Championship 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 |
