The Sky Blues versus The Tractor Boys, Leicester versus Derby, along with More Football League Updates
Greetings to a full evening of Football League and international soccer fixtures. Our focus includes key Championship matches plus the pivotal final pool games in this Africa Cup of Nations competition.
Opening Notes
Hello everyone. You are welcome to what is checks writing desk rota this second-to-last soccer live blog of 2025. There’s an extensive EFL programme, kicking off with Coventry v Ipswich at 6pm, and 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 Comoros v Mali.
We'll be focussing on these fixtures, all 7.45pm start times unless stated.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- The Coelacanths v Mali (19:00)
- The Copper Bullets v The Atlas Lions (19:00)
Second Division Matches
- The Sky Blues versus Ipswich (18:00)
- The Foxes v Derby
- Boro v Hull
- Millwall v Bristol City
- The Red Dragons versus North End
League One
- The Bluebirds versus Stevenage
Latest Team News
Ipswich at Coventry Team News
The evening's opener, between the teams who are top and third in the Championship, could be an exciting match. These are the two XIs.
Coventry City (4-2-3-1) Rushworth; the right-back, the centre-back, the defender, Brau; the midfielder, the captain; the winger, the attacking midfielder, Mason-Clark; Wright.
Subs: The backup keeper, Allen, the forward, Kesler-Hayden, the full-back, the defender, Eccles, Perry, the player.
Ipswich (a 4-2-3-1 setup) Walton; Furlong, the centre-half, the defender, Greaves; the midfielder, Taylor; the attacker, the playmaker, the winger; Azon.
Substitutes: Palmer, the defender, Johnson, Humphreys, the midfielder, Burns, McAteer, the attacker, the striker.
The official Anthony Backhouse (Cumbria).
Afcon 2025: Group A Scenarios
The situation is complex. That's often the case when some but not all third-placed teams qualify. Here’s how things look ahead of tonight’s final set of matches.
- Morocco 4pts, GD+2
- Mali 2 points, GD0 (with 2 goals for)
- Zambia 2 points, GD0 (goals scored 1)
- Comoros 1 point, GD-2
In short, Morocco are probably fine though they will aim to beat their opponents to top the group. Zambia probably need at least a point against the hosts. Comoros likely need to overcome Mali, who will probably be okay with a point.
Many possibilities, various outcomes, plenty of scenarios.
Egypt's Match with Angola Latest
The denouement of Group B at this Africa Cup of Nations has coverage elsewhere. To avoid spoilers, avoid following that coverage.
Championship 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 |
