Coventry City vs Ipswich Town — Match Preview
A blockbuster top-of-the-table clash awaits at the Coventry Building Society Arena on Monday, 29 December 2025. League leaders Coventry City (48 points) host 3rd-placed Ipswich Town (37 points) in a match with massive automatic promotion implications.
The Sky Blues have been the team to beat this season, boasting 14 wins and a prolific attack (53 goals). However, they face their “bogey team” in Ipswich Town. The Tractor Boys hammered Coventry 3–0 just weeks ago at Portman Road (Dec 6) and also won 4–1 in the FA Cup back in February. Coventry will be out for revenge to prove their title credentials, while Ipswich know a win is vital to close the 11-point gap to the summit.
Coventry City vs Ipswich Town — Match Info
- Competition: EFL Championship (Matchday 24)
- Venue: Coventry Building Society Arena, Coventry (Capacity: 32,753)
- Date: Monday, 29 December 2025
- Kickoff: 20:00 GMT
- Referee: TBC (EFL Appointment)
Coventry City vs Ipswich Town — Match Stakes
Coventry City (1st — 48 pts):
- Win → Moves to 51 pts; extends their dominance and strikes a psychological blow against a key rival.
- Draw → Maintains the healthy 11-point buffer over 3rd place; acceptable given H2H struggles.
- Loss → The gap narrows; doubts creep in after losing twice to Ipswich in one month.
Ipswich Town (3rd — 37 pts):
- Win → Moves to 40 pts; drags them back into the title conversation and cements playoff status.
- Draw → A solid result away at the league leaders, but does little to close the gap.
- Loss → Risks falling 14 points behind Coventry; title hopes likely extinguished.
Coventry City vs Ipswich Town — Team News
Coventry City:
- Simms E. — Available (Key Goalscorer)
- Wright H. — Available (Pace/Power on the wing)
- Sheaf B. — Available (Captain & Midfield anchor)
- Sakamoto T. — Available (Creative outlet)
- Note: Manager expected to name an unchanged lineup from the solid 1–1 draw with Southampton, though Brandon Thomas-Asante is pushing for a start.
Ipswich Town:
- Hirst G. — Available (Target Man)
- Davis L. — Available (Assist machine from LB)
- Morsy S. — Available (Captain – yellow card risk)
- Chaplin C. — Available (Key #10)
- Defensive Stability: After conceding just 1 goal in their last 2 wins, the backline of Clarke and Greaves is expected to remain intact.
Coventry City vs Ipswich Town — Team Form (Last 5 Matches)
Coventry City
- 20/12 — 1–1 vs Southampton (Championship)
- 13/12 — 1–0 vs Bristol City (Championship)
- 10/12 — 1–1 vs Preston (Championship)
- 06/12 — 0–3 vs Ipswich (Championship)
- 29/11 — 3–1 vs Charlton (Championship)
Ipswich Town
- 20/12 — 3–1 vs Sheffield Wed (Championship)
- 13/12 — 1–3 vs Leicester (Championship)
- 11/12 — 1–0 vs Stoke (Championship)
- 06/12 — 3–0 vs Coventry (Championship)
- 03/12 — 1–1 vs Blackburn (Championship)
Coventry City vs Ipswich Town — Head-to-Head (Last 5 Meetings)
- 06/12/2025 — Ipswich 3–0 Coventry (Championship)
- 08/02/2025 — Coventry 1–4 Ipswich (FA Cup)
- 01/05/2024 — Coventry 1–2 Ipswich (Championship)
- 02/12/2023 — Ipswich 2–1 Coventry (Championship)
- 07/03/2020 — Ipswich 0–1 Coventry (League One)
- Trend: Ipswich have won the last 4 meetings comfortably.
Coventry City vs Ipswich Town — Playing XI (Predicted Lineups)
Coventry City (4-2-3-1)
Dovin; Van Ewijk, Thomas, Binks, Dasilva; Sheaf, Eccles; Sakamoto, Rudoni, Wright; Simms
Ipswich Town (4-2-3-1)
Muric; Johnson, O’Shea, Greaves, Davis; Morsy, Phillips; Burns, Chaplin, Hutchinson; Hirst
Coventry City vs Ipswich Town — Impact Bench
Coventry City: Thomas-Asante (Goal threat), Torp (Long shots)
Ipswich Town: Delap (Pace/Power), Broadhead (Technical ability)
Coventry City vs Ipswich Town — Tactical Analysis
Coventry City
Mark Robins’ side is the league’s top scoring machine (53 goals). At home, they look to overwhelm teams with the pace of Haji Wright and Milan van Ewijk on the flanks. However, they struggled to cope with Ipswich’s high press earlier this month. To win, Ben Sheaf must control the midfield tempo and stop Ipswich from transitioning quickly.
Ipswich Town
Kieran McKenna has Coventry’s number tactically. Ipswich’s ability to overload the left side with Leif Davis creates havoc for Coventry’s right-back. Having scored 7 goals in their last 2 games against the Sky Blues, Ipswich will play without fear, looking to cut through the middle via Conor Chaplin and Wes Burns.
Coventry City vs Ipswich Town — Key Battles
- Van Ewijk vs Davis — The two best attacking full-backs in the league head-to-head.
- Simms vs O’Shea — Physical battle for the long balls.
- Sheaf vs Morsy — The midfield generals; whoever wins this dictates the game.
- Dovin vs Chaplin — Coventry GK needs to be alert to shots from outside the box.
Coventry City vs Ipswich Town — Spotlight Players
Coventry City — Haji Wright
The American forward is unplayable on his day. With Ipswich’s defense pushing high, his runs in behind could be the key to breaking the “Ipswich curse.”
Ipswich Town — Leif Davis
The left-back is effectively a winger. His delivery into George Hirst is Ipswich’s primary weapon. If Coventry don’t double up on him, he will punish them.
Coventry City vs Ipswich Town — Prediction
Coventry City 2–2 Ipswich Town
Coventry are imperious at home, but Ipswich clearly have the tactical blueprint to hurt them (as seen in the 3–0 and 4–1 wins). Expect a high-octane thriller where Coventry’s attack fires, but their defense struggles to contain Ipswich yet again. A draw keeps Coventry comfortable at the top.
Coventry City vs Ipswich Town — Betting Insights
- Over 2.5 Goals — Very Likely (Previous scores: 3-0, 4-1, 1-2)
- Both Teams to Score — YES
- Double Chance — Ipswich or Draw (Given H2H dominance)
Coventry City vs Ipswich Town — Where to Watch
- UK: Sky Sports Football / Main Event
- International: iFollow (Select Regions)
Coventry City vs Ipswich Town — FAQs
Q: When is the Coventry vs Ipswich match?
A: The match kicks off on Monday, 29 December 2025, at 20:00 GMT.
Q: Why do Ipswich have such a good record vs Coventry?
A: Ipswich’s high-pressing style seems to perfectly counter Coventry’s possession-based buildup, forcing errors in dangerous areas.
Q: Who is top of the league?
A: Coventry City are currently 1st with 48 points, 11 points clear of Ipswich in 3rd.
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