The Sky Blues versus Ipswich, The Foxes against The Rams, along with More EFL League Updates
Greetings to a packed night of Football League as well as continental football fixtures. Our focus includes important second-tier matches and those crucial last group games in the Africa Cup of Nations competition.
Preamble
Hello everyone. You are welcome to the arguably the penultimate football live blog of 2025. There’s an extensive Football League programme, starting with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 18:00, while we’ll also be keeping a close watch on the two night games from the first group at this Africa Cup of Nations: Zambia against the hosts Morocco and Mali facing Comoros.
Our primary attention will be on these fixtures, with 7.45pm start times unless stated.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- The Coelacanths versus Mali (19:00)
- Zambia versus Morocco (7pm)
Championship
- Coventry versus Ipswich (6pm)
- Leicester versus Derby
- Boro versus The Tigers
- The Lions versus Bristol City
- Wrexham versus North End
League One
- The Bluebirds v Stevenage
Recent Team News
Coventry v Ipswich Confirmed Lineups
The evening's opener, between the teams who are first and third in the second tier, promises to be a cracker. Here are the starting elevens.
Coventry City (4-2-3-1) The goalkeeper; van Ewijk, the centre-back, Kitching, the left-back; Torp, Grimes; Sakamoto, Rudoni, the forward; the striker.
Substitutes: The backup keeper, the midfielder, Simms, the defender, the full-back, Latibeaudiere, the midfielder, Perry, the player.
Ipswich (4-2-3-1) The shot-stopper; Furlong, the centre-half, Kipre, the left-back; the midfielder, Taylor; Walle, the playmaker, Jack Clarke; the centre-forward.
Substitutes: The goalkeeper, Young, the midfielder, Humphreys, Cajuste, the winger, the forward, Philogene-Bidace, the striker.
Referee Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Afcon 2025: Group A Scenarios
The situation is complex. That's often the case where only some third-place teams qualify. This is the current state ahead of tonight’s last round of games.
- The Atlas Lions 4pts, +2 goal difference
- Mali 2pts, 0 goal difference (goals scored 2)
- The Copper Bullets 2pts, 0 goal difference (goals scored 1)
- Comoros 1pt, GD-2
Briefly, Morocco are probably fine but will want to defeat Zambia to top their pool. Zambia probably need at least a point versus the hosts. Comoros likely must to overcome Mali, who should advance if they get a draw.
Many possibilities, various outcomes, plenty of scenarios.
Angola v Egypt Update
The conclusion of Group B at this continental championship is being covered. To avoid spoilers, don’t click the link.
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 |
