The Sky Blues against The Tractor Boys, The Foxes against Derby, along with Additional Football Action Updates
Welcome to the busy evening of EFL as well as continental soccer action. Our focus includes important Championship matches plus the crucial last pool matches in the Afcon tournament.
Preamble
Oh, hi folks. You are welcome to what is arguably this penultimate soccer live blog of 2025. We have an extensive EFL schedule, kicking off with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 18:00, and we will also monitor a close watch on the two night games from the first group at this Africa Cup of Nations: Morocco hosting Zambia and Comoros v Mali.
Our primary attention will be on these matches, all 19:45 start times unless stated.
Afcon 2025
- Comoros v Mali (7pm)
- Zambia v The Atlas Lions (7pm)
Second Division Matches
- The Sky Blues versus The Tractor Boys (6pm)
- The Foxes v The Rams
- Boro v The Tigers
- The Lions versus The Robins
- The Red Dragons v North End
Third Tier Fixture
- The Bluebirds v Boro
Recent Lineup Updates
Coventry v Ipswich Team News
The evening's opener, between the teams who are first and third in the second tier, looks like a thriller. Here are the confirmed lineups.
Coventry City (4-2-3-1) Rushworth; van Ewijk, the centre-back, Kitching, Brau; Torp, Grimes; Sakamoto, Rudoni, the forward; the striker.
Subs: The backup keeper, Allen, Simms, Kesler-Hayden, Bidwell, the defender, Eccles, the youngster, Andrews.
Ipswich Town (4-2-3-1) The shot-stopper; Furlong, O’Shea, Kipre, Greaves; the midfielder, Taylor; Walle, Nunez, the winger; Azon.
Subs: The goalkeeper, the defender, Johnson, the defender, the midfielder, Burns, the forward, the attacker, the striker.
The official Backhouse (Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: Group A Permutations
The situation is complex. It always is where only some third-placed teams qualify. This is the current state before tonight’s final set of games.
- The Atlas Lions 4pts, +2 goal difference
- The Eagles 2pts, 0 goal difference (goals scored 2)
- Zambia 2pts, 0 goal difference (with 1 goal for)
- The Coelacanths 1pt, -2 goal difference
Briefly, Morocco is likely safe but will want to beat Zambia to win their pool. Zambia likely requires at least a point against Morocco. The island nation probably must to overcome their rivals, who will probably be okay with a draw.
Lotta ins, lotta outs, lotta what-have-yous.
Egypt's Match with Angola Latest
The final act of Group B at this Africa Cup of Nations is being covered. If you don’t want to know the score, don’t click the link.
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 |