Hello to the packed evening of Football League and international soccer fixtures. We'll be covering important second-tier encounters and the pivotal final group matches in this Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
Preamble
Greetings to all. You are welcome to what is checks writing desk rota this second-to-last football clockwatch of the year. There’s a full EFL slate, starting with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 18:00, and we’ll also be keeping a close watch on the two evening games from the first group at the Afcon: Morocco hosting Zambia and Mali facing Comoros.
Our primary attention will be on these matches, with 19:45 kick-offs unless stated.
Afcon 2025
- Comoros v Mali (7pm)
- Zambia v The Atlas Lions (19:00)
Second Division Matches
- Coventry v The Tractor Boys (18:00)
- Leicester versus The Rams
- Boro versus Hull
- Millwall versus The Robins
- Wrexham versus North End
Third Tier Fixture
- Cardiff versus Boro
Recent Lineup Updates
Coventry v Ipswich Team News
The early game, between the teams who are first and third in the Championship, promises to be a thriller. These are the two XIs.
Coventry City (a 4-2-3-1 formation) Rushworth; van Ewijk, Woolfenden, Kitching, Brau; the midfielder, Grimes; Sakamoto, the attacking midfielder, Mason-Clark; the striker.
Substitutes: The backup keeper, Allen, Simms, the defender, the full-back, Latibeaudiere, the midfielder, Perry, Andrews.
Ipswich Town (a 4-2-3-1 setup) Walton; Furlong, O’Shea, the defender, the left-back; Matusiwa, Taylor; the attacker, Nunez, Jack Clarke; Azon.
Subs: The goalkeeper, the defender, the midfielder, Humphreys, Cajuste, the winger, the forward, Philogene-Bidace, Akpom.
Referee Anthony Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Afcon 2025: First Group Permutations
It's a tricky picture. It always is when some but not all third-place sides qualify. Here’s how things look ahead of tonight’s last set of matches.
- The Atlas Lions 4 points, +2 goal difference
- Mali 2pts, GD0 (with 2 goals for)
- Zambia 2 points, GD0 (goals scored 1)
- The Coelacanths 1pt, -2 goal difference
Briefly, Morocco is likely safe though they will aim to defeat their opponents and top the group. Zambia likely requires a draw or better against the hosts. Comoros probably need to overcome Mali, who will probably be okay if they get a point.
A host of potential results and permutations.
Angola v Egypt Update
The final act of Group B 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 |
