Coventry versus The Tractor Boys, Leicester v The Rams, along with More EFL League Previews
Greetings for the busy evening of EFL as well as international football action. Our focus includes important second-tier encounters plus those pivotal final group games in the Africa Cup of Nations competition.
Opening Notes
Greetings to all. Welcome to the checks writing desk rota the second-to-last soccer clockwatch of 2025. There’s an extensive Football League schedule, starting with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 6pm, while we will also monitor a close watch on the two night fixtures from Group A at this Africa Cup of Nations: Morocco hosting Zambia and Mali facing Comoros.
Our primary attention will be on these games, with 19:45 kick-offs except where noted.
Afcon 2025
- The Coelacanths versus The Eagles (19:00)
- The Copper Bullets v The Atlas Lions (19:00)
Second Division Matches
- Coventry v The Tractor Boys (6pm)
- Leicester versus The Rams
- Boro v Hull
- The Lions v Bristol City
- The Red Dragons versus Preston
Third Tier Fixture
- Cardiff versus Boro
Latest Lineup Updates
Coventry v Ipswich Confirmed Lineups
The evening's opener, between the teams who are first and third in the Championship, promises to be a thriller. Here are the confirmed lineups.
Coventry (a 4-2-3-1 formation) The goalkeeper; the right-back, the centre-back, Kitching, Brau; Torp, the captain; Sakamoto, Rudoni, Mason-Clark; the striker.
Substitutes: The backup keeper, the midfielder, Simms, Kesler-Hayden, the full-back, Latibeaudiere, Eccles, Perry, Andrews.
Ipswich (4-2-3-1) The shot-stopper; the defender, the centre-half, the defender, the left-back; the midfielder, Taylor; the attacker, Nunez, Jack Clarke; the centre-forward.
Subs: Palmer, Young, the midfielder, the defender, the midfielder, Burns, McAteer, the attacker, Akpom.
Referee Backhouse (Cumbria).
Afcon 2025: First Group Permutations
The situation is complex. It always is when some but not all third-place teams qualify. This is the current state ahead of tonight’s last round of games.
- The Atlas Lions 4 points, GD+2
- The Eagles 2 points, 0 goal difference (goals scored 2)
- The Copper Bullets 2pts, GD0 (with 1 goal for)
- The Coelacanths 1pt, GD-2
In short, Morocco are probably fine though they will aim to beat Zambia to top the group. Zambia probably need a draw or better against the hosts. Comoros likely must to beat Mali, 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 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 |
