As the curtain falls on the calendar year, the EFL is set for one last round of drama before we welcome 2026. With promotion races heating up and survival battles intensifying, Monday’s fixtures promise plenty of talking points across all three divisions.

Championship Spotlight: Coventry vs Ipswich

The standout clash comes from the Coventry Building Society Arena, where leaders Coventry City host third-placed Ipswich Town in an early kick-off (18:00 GMT).
Frank Lampard’s Sky Blues have held top spot since October, but recent form has been patchy with just two wins from five. Ipswich, meanwhile, will take confidence from their 3-0 victory in the reverse fixture earlier this month, though consistency has eluded them throughout December.
A win for Coventry would strengthen their grip on the summit heading into the new year, while Ipswich know three points could reignite their automatic promotion hopes.

Leicester Looking to Respond

Elsewhere, Leicester City will aim to end a difficult December on a positive note when they welcome Derby County to the King Power Stadium. After back-to-back defeats, the Foxes need a strong performance to keep pace with the play-off contenders. Derby arrive in good spirits, buoyed by striker Patrick Agyemang’s fine run of form – three goals in his last three games.

League One & League Two: Tight at the Top

In League Two, the race for top spot remains wide open. Walsall lead the way by a single point and host Oldham Athletic, while second-placed Bromley travel to Crawley Town. Swindon Town, currently third, face a tricky trip to Cheltenham in a fixture that could have big implications for the promotion picture.
League One also offers plenty of intrigue, with several sides jostling for play-off positions as the halfway point approaches.

Players to Watch

Ephron Mason-Clark (Coventry City) – Three goals in his last three games, including the Boxing Day winner against Swansea.
Patrick Agyemang (Derby County) – In red-hot form and a key threat for the Rams.
Matthew Dennis (Notts County) – Ten goals this season and attracting plenty of attention higher up the pyramid.
Emre Tezgel (Crewe Alexandra) – Five goals in six matches underline his growing influence.

What’s at Stake?

From title ambitions to survival scraps, every point matters as we head into 2026. Will Coventry cement their dominance? Can Ipswich close the gap? And who will seize the initiative in League Two’s thrilling promotion race?
One thing is certain: the final matchday of 2025 is set to deliver drama, goals, and plenty of festive football cheer.

Final EFL matchday 2025 preview: Championship, League One & League Two

Final EFL matchday 2025 preview: Championship, League One & League Two