The Sky Blues v Ipswich, The Foxes v Derby, along with Additional Football Action Updates
Welcome for a full evening of Football League as well as continental soccer fixtures. We'll be covering key Championship matches plus the pivotal final group matches in this Africa Cup of Nations competition.
Opening Notes
Greetings to all. Welcome to what is reportedly the second-to-last football live blog of 2025. There’s an extensive EFL programme, starting with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 6pm, while we’ll also be keeping at least a third of an eye on both night fixtures from Group A at the Africa Cup of Nations: Morocco hosting Zambia as well as Mali facing Comoros.
We'll be focussing on the following games, with 7.45pm start times unless stated.
Afcon 2025
- Comoros v The Eagles (19:00)
- Zambia v The Atlas Lions (19:00)
Second Division Matches
- The Sky Blues v The Tractor Boys (6pm)
- The Foxes v The Rams
- Middlesbrough versus The Tigers
- Millwall versus The Robins
- Wrexham v Preston
Third Tier Fixture
- The Bluebirds v Stevenage
Latest Lineup Updates
Ipswich at Coventry Team News
The early game, between the teams who are first and third in the Championship, looks like a cracker. These are the starting elevens.
Coventry City (4-2-3-1) The goalkeeper; the right-back, Woolfenden, the defender, Brau; the midfielder, the captain; Sakamoto, Rudoni, Mason-Clark; Wright.
Substitutes: The backup keeper, Allen, Simms, the defender, Bidwell, Latibeaudiere, Eccles, the youngster, Andrews.
Ipswich Town (4-2-3-1) The shot-stopper; the defender, the centre-half, the defender, the left-back; Matusiwa, the midfielder; Walle, Nunez, Jack Clarke; Azon.
Subs: Palmer, Young, Johnson, the defender, Cajuste, Burns, McAteer, Philogene-Bidace, the striker.
The official Anthony Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Afcon 2025: Group A Permutations
It's a tricky picture. That's often the case when some but not all third-placed teams progress. This is the current state before tonight’s final round of matches.
- Morocco 4pts, GD+2
- Mali 2 points, GD0 (goals scored 2)
- The Copper Bullets 2pts, 0 goal difference (goals scored 1)
- The Coelacanths 1 point, -2 goal difference
To summarize, Morocco is likely safe though they will aim to defeat Zambia and top their pool. Zambia likely requires a draw or better against Morocco. Comoros probably need to beat their rivals, who should advance with a draw.
Many possibilities, various outcomes, plenty of scenarios.
Angola v Egypt Latest
The denouement of the second group at this Africa Cup of Nations has coverage elsewhere. For those wishing to remain unaware, don’t click the link.
Second Tier Standings Snapshot
| 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 |
