Coventry against The Tractor Boys, The Foxes versus Derby, along with Additional Football League Updates
Welcome for the packed night of EFL as well as continental soccer fixtures. We'll be covering important Championship clashes plus the crucial last pool games in the Africa Cup of Nations competition.
Preamble
Greetings to all. Welcome to the checks writing desk rota this second-to-last football live blog of 2025. We have a full Football League 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 night fixtures from Group A at this Africa Cup of Nations: Zambia against the hosts Morocco and Comoros v Mali.
Our primary attention will be on the following fixtures, all 7.45pm kick-offs except where noted.
Afcon 2025
- The Coelacanths versus The Eagles (19:00)
- The Copper Bullets versus The Atlas Lions (7pm)
Second Division Matches
- Coventry versus Ipswich (6pm)
- Leicester v Derby
- Middlesbrough v Hull
- Millwall versus Bristol City
- The Red Dragons versus North End
Third Tier Fixture
- Cardiff v Boro
Recent Lineup Updates
Coventry v Ipswich Team News
The early game, between the teams who are first and third in the second tier, looks like a cracker. Here are the confirmed lineups.
Coventry City (a 4-2-3-1 formation) Rushworth; the right-back, the centre-back, Kitching, the left-back; the midfielder, Grimes; Sakamoto, Rudoni, Mason-Clark; the striker.
Subs: Wilson, Allen, the forward, Kesler-Hayden, Bidwell, the defender, the midfielder, the youngster, the player.
Ipswich Town (a 4-2-3-1 setup) Walton; Furlong, O’Shea, Kipre, Greaves; Matusiwa, Taylor; Walle, Nunez, the winger; Azon.
Subs: The goalkeeper, the defender, the midfielder, the defender, the midfielder, Burns, the forward, the attacker, Akpom.
Referee Anthony Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Afcon 2025: Group A Permutations
Look, it’s complicated. That's often the case where only some third-placed teams qualify. Here’s how things look ahead of tonight’s final set of matches.
- Morocco 4pts, +2 goal difference
- Mali 2 points, GD0 (with 2 goals for)
- Zambia 2 points, GD0 (goals scored 1)
- The Coelacanths 1 point, GD-2
In short, Morocco is likely safe though they will aim to beat Zambia and win the group. Zambia probably need at least a point against the hosts. Comoros likely need to beat their rivals, who will probably be okay with a point.
A host of potential results and permutations.
Egypt's Match with Angola Update
The denouement to Group B at this Africa Cup of Nations is being covered. For those wishing to remain unaware, don’t click the link.
Second Tier Standings Overview
| 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 |
