Welcome for the busy night of EFL and continental soccer fixtures. The spotlight falls on key second-tier clashes and those crucial final group matches in this Africa Cup of Nations competition.
Oh, hi folks. Welcome to the checks writing desk rota the penultimate soccer clockwatch of 2025. There’s an extensive EFL slate, kicking off with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 6pm, while we’ll also be keeping at least a third of an eye on both evening games from the first group at the Africa Cup of Nations: Zambia against the hosts Morocco as well as Comoros v Mali.
We'll be focussing on the following matches, all 7.45pm start times except where noted.
The evening's opener, between the teams who are first and third in the Championship, promises to be a thriller. These are the starting elevens.
Coventry (a 4-2-3-1 formation) Rushworth; the right-back, the centre-back, Kitching, the left-back; the midfielder, the captain; the winger, the attacking midfielder, Mason-Clark; the striker.
Subs: Wilson, the midfielder, Simms, Kesler-Hayden, Bidwell, the defender, Eccles, the youngster, Andrews.
Ipswich Town (4-2-3-1) The shot-stopper; Furlong, O’Shea, Kipre, the left-back; the midfielder, Taylor; the attacker, the playmaker, the winger; Azon.
Subs: The goalkeeper, Young, Johnson, the defender, Cajuste, the winger, McAteer, Philogene-Bidace, the striker.
The official Backhouse (from Cumbria).
The situation is complex. It always is where only some third-place sides qualify. Here’s how things look before tonight’s last round of matches.
To summarize, Morocco are probably fine but will want to beat their opponents and top their pool. Zambia probably need a draw or better against the hosts. Comoros likely need to beat Mali, who will probably be okay if they get a point.
A host of potential results and permutations.
The denouement of Group B at this Africa Cup of Nations is being covered. For those wishing to remain unaware, avoid following that coverage.
| 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 |
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