Coventry against Ipswich, Leicester against Derby, along with More EFL League Updates
Welcome to a busy night of EFL and continental soccer fixtures. The spotlight falls on important second-tier clashes and the pivotal final pool games in the Afcon competition.
Preamble
Oh, hi folks. Welcome to what is arguably this penultimate football live blog of 2025. We have an extensive Football League schedule, kicking off with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 18:00, while we’ll also be keeping a close watch on the two evening fixtures from the first group at the Afcon: Morocco hosting Zambia and Mali facing Comoros.
We'll be focussing on these matches, all 19:45 kick-offs except where noted.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- Comoros v Mali (7pm)
- Zambia versus The Atlas Lions (7pm)
Second Division Matches
- The Sky Blues v The Tractor Boys (6pm)
- Leicester v The Rams
- Boro v Hull
- Millwall versus The Robins
- Wrexham v North End
Third Tier Fixture
- Cardiff versus Stevenage
Recent Team News
Coventry v Ipswich Team News
The early game, between the teams who are first and third in the Championship, could be a thriller. These are the confirmed lineups.
Coventry (a 4-2-3-1 formation) Rushworth; the right-back, Woolfenden, Kitching, Brau; Torp, the captain; the winger, Rudoni, the forward; the striker.
Subs: Wilson, the midfielder, Simms, Kesler-Hayden, Bidwell, Latibeaudiere, Eccles, Perry, Andrews.
Ipswich (a 4-2-3-1 setup) Walton; Furlong, O’Shea, the defender, Greaves; Matusiwa, Taylor; the attacker, the playmaker, Jack Clarke; Azon.
Subs: Palmer, the defender, Johnson, the defender, Cajuste, Burns, McAteer, the attacker, the striker.
Referee Anthony Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Afcon 2025: Group A Permutations
The situation is complex. That's often the case when some but not all third-place sides qualify. Here’s how things look before tonight’s last set of games.
- The Atlas Lions 4 points, GD+2
- Mali 2 points, 0 goal difference (goals scored 2)
- Zambia 2 points, GD0 (with 1 goal for)
- Comoros 1 point, GD-2
Briefly, Morocco are probably fine though they will aim to beat their opponents and win their pool. Zambia probably need at least a point versus Morocco. Comoros likely must to overcome Mali, who should advance if they get a point.
Many possibilities, various outcomes, plenty of scenarios.
Angola v Egypt Update
The denouement of Group B at the continental championship has coverage elsewhere. For those wishing to remain unaware, it's best not to seek out that information.
Championship 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 |
