The Sky Blues against Ipswich, The Foxes versus The Rams, along with More Football Action Updates
Greetings for a full night of EFL as well as international soccer fixtures. Our focus includes major second-tier encounters plus the crucial final group matches in this Afcon competition.
Preamble
Oh, hi folks. Welcome to the checks writing desk rota this second-to-last football live blog of 2025. There’s a full Football League schedule, kicking off with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 18:00, and we’ll also be keeping at least a third of an eye on both evening games from the first group at the Afcon: Morocco hosting Zambia and Comoros v Mali.
Our primary attention will be on these matches, all 7.45pm kick-offs except where noted.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- The Coelacanths versus The Eagles (7pm)
- The Copper Bullets v Morocco (19:00)
Championship
- The Sky Blues v The Tractor Boys (6pm)
- Leicester versus Derby
- Boro v Hull
- Millwall v The Robins
- Wrexham v Preston
Third Tier Fixture
- The Bluebirds versus Boro
Recent Lineup Updates
Ipswich at Coventry Confirmed Lineups
The early game, between the teams who are top and third in the Championship, promises to be a thriller. These are the starting elevens.
Coventry City (a 4-2-3-1 formation) The goalkeeper; the right-back, Woolfenden, the defender, Brau; Torp, Grimes; Sakamoto, the attacking midfielder, Mason-Clark; Wright.
Substitutes: Wilson, the midfielder, Simms, the defender, the full-back, Latibeaudiere, Eccles, Perry, the player.
Ipswich (4-2-3-1) Walton; the defender, O’Shea, the defender, the left-back; Matusiwa, the midfielder; Walle, the playmaker, the winger; the centre-forward.
Substitutes: The goalkeeper, the defender, the midfielder, the defender, Cajuste, the winger, McAteer, Philogene-Bidace, the striker.
The official Anthony Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: First Group Permutations
Look, it’s complicated. That's often the case when some but not all third-place teams progress. Here’s how things look ahead of this evening's last set of matches.
- The Atlas Lions 4 points, +2 goal difference
- The Eagles 2 points, GD0 (with 2 goals for)
- The Copper Bullets 2 points, GD0 (goals scored 1)
- Comoros 1 point, GD-2
In short, Morocco is likely safe though they will aim to defeat Zambia to top their pool. Zambia probably need a draw or better versus Morocco. The island nation likely need to overcome their rivals, who will probably be okay if they get a draw.
Lotta ins, lotta outs, lotta what-have-yous.
Egypt's Match with Angola Latest
The conclusion to the second group at the continental championship has coverage elsewhere. For those wishing to remain unaware, avoid following that coverage.
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 |
