Coventry versus The Tractor Boys, The Foxes against Derby, along with Additional EFL Action Updates

Greetings to the packed night of EFL and continental soccer fixtures. We'll be covering important Championship matches plus the pivotal last group matches in the Africa Cup of Nations competition.

Introduction

Oh, hi folks. Welcome to what is reportedly the second-to-last soccer clockwatch of 2025. There’s a full EFL slate, kicking off with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 6pm, and we’ll also be keeping a close watch on both evening fixtures from the first group at this Afcon: Zambia against the hosts Morocco and Comoros v Mali.

We'll be focussing on the following games, all 19:45 start times unless stated.

Afcon 2025

• The Coelacanths versus Mali (19:00)
• Zambia v Morocco (19:00)

Second Division Matches

• The Sky Blues v Ipswich (6pm)
• The Foxes v The Rams
• Boro versus The Tigers
• Millwall versus Bristol City
• The Red Dragons versus Preston

Third Tier Fixture

• Cardiff versus Stevenage

Recent Lineup Updates

Coventry v Ipswich Confirmed Lineups

The early game, featuring the sides sitting top and third in the second tier, promises to be a thriller. These are the starting elevens.

Coventry City (a 4-2-3-1 formation) The goalkeeper; the right-back, Woolfenden, the defender, Brau; the midfielder, Grimes; the winger, Rudoni, the forward; the striker.

Subs: The backup keeper, the midfielder, Simms, Kesler-Hayden, Bidwell, Latibeaudiere, the midfielder, Perry, the player.

Ipswich Town (a 4-2-3-1 setup) The shot-stopper; the defender, O’Shea, Kipre, the left-back; Matusiwa, the midfielder; the attacker, the playmaker, Jack Clarke; the centre-forward.

Substitutes: Palmer, Young, Johnson, Humphreys, Cajuste, the winger, McAteer, the attacker, Akpom.

Referee Anthony Backhouse (Cumbria).

Afcon 2025: First Group Permutations

It's a tricky picture. That's often the case when some but not all third-place sides qualify. Here’s how things look ahead of this evening's final set of games.

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

In short, Morocco are probably fine but will want to defeat their opponents and win their pool. Zambia probably need at least a point versus the hosts. Comoros probably need to overcome Mali, who will probably be okay if they get a draw.

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

Egypt's Match with Angola Update

The final act to Group B at this Africa Cup of Nations is being covered. To avoid spoilers, don’t click the link.

Second Tier Standings Overview