The Sky Blues versus The Tractor Boys, Leicester versus Derby, and Additional Football Action Updates
Hello to the packed night of EFL as well as international soccer action. The spotlight falls on major second-tier matches and those pivotal last group matches in this Africa Cup of Nations competition.
Introduction
Oh, hi folks. You are welcome to the checks writing desk rota this penultimate soccer live blog of 2025. We have an extensive Football League programme, starting with Coventry v Ipswich at 6pm, while we’ll also be keeping a close watch on the two evening fixtures from Group A at the Afcon: Morocco hosting Zambia and Mali facing Comoros.
We'll be focussing on these fixtures, with 19:45 kick-offs except where noted.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- Comoros versus The Eagles (7pm)
- Zambia versus The Atlas Lions (19:00)
Championship
- Coventry versus The Tractor Boys (18:00)
- Leicester v The Rams
- Boro v The Tigers
- Millwall v Bristol City
- Wrexham v Preston
League One
- The Bluebirds v Boro
Recent Lineup Updates
Coventry v Ipswich Team News
The evening's opener, between the teams who are first and third in the second tier, could be a cracker. Here are the two XIs.
Coventry City (4-2-3-1) Rushworth; the right-back, Woolfenden, the defender, the left-back; the midfielder, the captain; the winger, Rudoni, the forward; Wright.
Substitutes: The backup keeper, Allen, the forward, the defender, Bidwell, Latibeaudiere, the midfielder, Perry, the player.
Ipswich (4-2-3-1) Walton; Furlong, O’Shea, the defender, the left-back; Matusiwa, Taylor; Walle, Nunez, the winger; the centre-forward.
Substitutes: Palmer, Young, the midfielder, Humphreys, Cajuste, Burns, McAteer, the attacker, the striker.
The official Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Afcon 2025: First Group Permutations
It's a tricky picture. That's often the case where only some third-place teams progress. Here’s how things look ahead of tonight’s last set of games.
- The Atlas Lions 4 points, GD+2
- The Eagles 2pts, 0 goal difference (with 2 goals for)
- Zambia 2 points, GD0 (goals scored 1)
- Comoros 1 point, GD-2
Briefly, Morocco are probably fine but will want to beat Zambia and top the group. Zambia likely requires a draw or better versus Morocco. Comoros probably need to beat Mali, who should advance if they get a draw.
Lotta ins, lotta outs, lotta what-have-yous.
Angola v Egypt Update
The denouement to the second group at the Africa Cup of Nations is being covered. To avoid spoilers, don’t click the link.
Second Tier Table 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 |
