The Sky Blues v The Tractor Boys, Leicester against Derby, and More Football League Previews
Greetings to a packed evening of Football League and continental football fixtures. We'll be covering key Championship encounters and the crucial final pool matches in the Africa Cup of Nations competition.
Preamble
Greetings to all. You are welcome to the checks writing desk rota the second-to-last football live blog of 2025. There’s an extensive EFL programme, kicking off with Coventry v Ipswich at 18:00, and we’ll also be keeping at least a third of an eye on the two evening games from Group A at this Africa Cup of Nations: Morocco hosting Zambia and Comoros v Mali.
Our primary attention will be on these matches, with 7.45pm start times unless stated.
Afcon 2025
- Comoros versus Mali (7pm)
- Zambia versus Morocco (7pm)
Second Division Matches
- Coventry v The Tractor Boys (18:00)
- The Foxes versus Derby
- Middlesbrough versus Hull
- The Lions versus Bristol City
- The Red Dragons v North End
Third Tier Fixture
- The Bluebirds versus Stevenage
Latest Lineup Updates
Ipswich at Coventry Confirmed Lineups
The evening's opener, featuring the sides sitting top and third in the Championship, could be a thriller. These are the confirmed lineups.
Coventry City (a 4-2-3-1 formation) The goalkeeper; van Ewijk, Woolfenden, the defender, Brau; Torp, the captain; Sakamoto, Rudoni, Mason-Clark; Wright.
Subs: Wilson, Allen, Simms, the defender, the full-back, Latibeaudiere, Eccles, Perry, Andrews.
Ipswich (a 4-2-3-1 setup) The shot-stopper; the defender, the centre-half, the defender, the left-back; the midfielder, the midfielder; the attacker, the playmaker, the winger; Azon.
Subs: Palmer, the defender, Johnson, Humphreys, Cajuste, the winger, McAteer, the attacker, Akpom.
Referee Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Afcon 2025: Group A Scenarios
It's a tricky picture. It always is where only some third-place sides progress. Here’s how things look before tonight’s final round of matches.
- The Atlas Lions 4pts, +2 goal difference
- Mali 2 points, GD0 (with 2 goals for)
- The Copper Bullets 2 points, GD0 (goals scored 1)
- The Coelacanths 1 point, -2 goal difference
Briefly, Morocco are probably fine though they will aim to beat their opponents to top the group. Zambia probably need at least a point versus the hosts. Comoros likely must to overcome Mali, who should advance if they get a point.
Many possibilities, various outcomes, plenty of scenarios.
Egypt's Match with Angola Update
The final act to Group B at this Africa Cup of Nations is being covered. For those wishing to remain unaware, 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 |
