The Sky Blues v Ipswich, The Foxes against Derby, and Additional Football Action Updates
Greetings for a busy evening of Football League and continental soccer action. We'll be covering important second-tier encounters and those crucial last group games in this Afcon tournament.
Preamble
Oh, hi folks. Welcome to the arguably the second-to-last football live blog of 2025. There’s a full EFL slate, kicking off with Coventry v Ipswich at 6pm, while we’ll also be keeping a close watch on both evening fixtures from the first group at this Afcon: Morocco hosting Zambia and Comoros v Mali.
Our primary attention will be on the following matches, all 7.45pm kick-offs except where noted.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- The Coelacanths versus The Eagles (19:00)
- The Copper Bullets v Morocco (7pm)
Championship
- The Sky Blues versus The Tractor Boys (6pm)
- Leicester versus The Rams
- Boro v Hull
- The Lions v The Robins
- The Red Dragons v North End
League One
- Cardiff v Boro
Recent Team News
Ipswich at Coventry Team News
The early game, between the teams who are first and third in the second tier, could be an exciting match. These are the confirmed lineups.
Coventry City (4-2-3-1) Rushworth; van Ewijk, the centre-back, Kitching, Brau; Torp, Grimes; the winger, Rudoni, the forward; Wright.
Subs: The backup keeper, Allen, Simms, Kesler-Hayden, Bidwell, Latibeaudiere, the midfielder, Perry, Andrews.
Ipswich Town (a 4-2-3-1 setup) The shot-stopper; Furlong, O’Shea, Kipre, Greaves; Matusiwa, the midfielder; Walle, Nunez, Jack Clarke; Azon.
Substitutes: The goalkeeper, the defender, the midfielder, the defender, the midfielder, the winger, the forward, the attacker, the striker.
The official Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: First Group Permutations
The situation is complex. It always is where only some third-placed teams qualify. This is the current state before tonight’s final set of games.
- The Atlas Lions 4 points, GD+2
- The Eagles 2 points, 0 goal difference (goals scored 2)
- Zambia 2 points, 0 goal difference (with 1 goal for)
- Comoros 1pt, -2 goal difference
Briefly, Morocco are probably fine though they will aim to beat Zambia to win their pool. Zambia likely requires a draw or better versus Morocco. Comoros probably need to beat their rivals, who should advance if they get a draw.
Lotta ins, lotta outs, lotta what-have-yous.
Egypt's Match with Angola Latest
The denouement to the second group at this continental championship has coverage elsewhere. To avoid spoilers, don’t click the link.
Second Tier Table 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 |
