Coventry v Ipswich, Leicester against Derby, along with Additional EFL Action Updates
Greetings to a full evening of EFL as well as continental soccer fixtures. The spotlight falls on major second-tier encounters and those pivotal final group matches in this Afcon tournament.
Opening Notes
Greetings to all. You are welcome to the checks writing desk rota this penultimate football live blog of 2025. We have an extensive EFL slate, starting with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 18:00, while we’ll also be keeping a close watch on both night games from the first group at this Africa Cup of Nations: Morocco hosting Zambia and Mali facing Comoros.
Our primary attention will be on these matches, with 7.45pm kick-offs unless stated.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- Comoros v The Eagles (19:00)
- The Copper Bullets versus The Atlas Lions (7pm)
Championship
- Coventry versus The Tractor Boys (6pm)
- The Foxes versus The Rams
- Middlesbrough v The Tigers
- Millwall v Bristol City
- Wrexham versus Preston
Third Tier Fixture
- The Bluebirds versus Stevenage
Latest Team News
Coventry v Ipswich Team News
The early game, between the teams who are first and third in the second tier, could be a thriller. These are the two XIs.
Coventry (4-2-3-1) The goalkeeper; van Ewijk, the centre-back, Kitching, Brau; Torp, the captain; Sakamoto, the attacking midfielder, Mason-Clark; the striker.
Subs: The backup keeper, Allen, Simms, the defender, Bidwell, the defender, the midfielder, the youngster, Andrews.
Ipswich (a 4-2-3-1 setup) Walton; the defender, the centre-half, the defender, the left-back; the midfielder, Taylor; Walle, the playmaker, the winger; Azon.
Subs: Palmer, the defender, the midfielder, the defender, Cajuste, Burns, the forward, the attacker, the striker.
Referee Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Afcon 2025: Group A Permutations
The situation is complex. That's often the case where only some third-place teams progress. This is the current state before this evening's final round of games.
- Morocco 4pts, +2 goal difference
- The Eagles 2pts, GD0 (with 2 goals for)
- Zambia 2pts, GD0 (with 1 goal for)
- Comoros 1pt, -2 goal difference
Briefly, Morocco are probably fine though they will aim to beat Zambia and win their pool. Zambia likely requires a draw or better versus Morocco. The island nation probably need to overcome Mali, who should advance if they get a point.
A host of potential results and permutations.
Angola v Egypt Update
The conclusion to the second group at this continental championship is being covered. For those wishing to remain unaware, avoid following that coverage.
Championship Standings 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 |
