Coventry v The Tractor Boys, Leicester versus Derby, and Additional Football Action Previews

Hello for the packed evening of EFL and international soccer fixtures. Our focus includes major Championship clashes plus the pivotal final pool matches in the Afcon competition.

Introduction

Hello everyone. You are welcome to what is reportedly the penultimate football clockwatch of 2025. There’s an extensive Football League programme, kicking off with Coventry v Ipswich at 6pm, and we’ll also be keeping a close watch on the two night games from Group A at this Africa Cup of Nations: Morocco hosting Zambia and Mali facing Comoros.

Our primary attention will be on these fixtures, with 19:45 kick-offs unless stated.

Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures

• The Coelacanths versus Mali (19:00)
• The Copper Bullets v Morocco (7pm)

Second Division Matches

• Coventry v Ipswich (18:00)
• Leicester v Derby
• Boro versus Hull
• The Lions versus The Robins
• Wrexham versus Preston

League One

• Cardiff v Stevenage

Latest Lineup Updates

Ipswich at Coventry Team News

The evening's opener, between the teams who are first and third in the Championship, looks like a cracker. Here are the two XIs.

Coventry City (4-2-3-1) The goalkeeper; the right-back, Woolfenden, Kitching, Brau; the midfielder, Grimes; Sakamoto, the attacking midfielder, the forward; the striker.

Substitutes: Wilson, the midfielder, the forward, the defender, Bidwell, the defender, the midfielder, Perry, the player.

Ipswich (a 4-2-3-1 setup) The shot-stopper; the defender, O’Shea, Kipre, the left-back; Matusiwa, the midfielder; Walle, Nunez, the winger; Azon.

Subs: The goalkeeper, Young, the midfielder, the defender, the midfielder, Burns, the forward, the attacker, the striker.

The official Backhouse (Cumbria).

Afcon 2025: First Group Permutations

The situation is complex. It always is when some but not all third-placed sides qualify. This is the current state ahead of this evening's last set of games.

• The Atlas Lions 4pts, GD+2
• Mali 2 points, 0 goal difference (with 2 goals for)
• The Copper Bullets 2pts, 0 goal difference (goals scored 1)
• Comoros 1pt, GD-2

To summarize, Morocco are probably fine though they will aim to defeat their opponents and win their pool. Zambia probably need a draw or better versus Morocco. Comoros likely need to beat Mali, who will probably be okay with a draw.

Lotta ins, lotta outs, lotta what-have-yous.

Angola v Egypt Update

The conclusion of the second group at the continental championship is being covered. For those wishing to remain unaware, avoid following that coverage.

Championship Table Snapshot