The Sky Blues against Ipswich, Leicester versus Derby, along with More Football League Updates
Greetings for a busy night of Football League and international soccer action. Our focus includes important Championship clashes plus the crucial last group games in this Africa Cup of Nations competition.
Introduction
Greetings to all. You are welcome to the reportedly this second-to-last football live blog of 2025. We have an extensive EFL programme, starting with Coventry v Ipswich at 6pm, while we’ll also be keeping a close watch on both night games from Group A at this Africa Cup of Nations: Morocco hosting Zambia as well as Mali facing Comoros.
We'll be focussing on these games, all 7.45pm start times except where noted.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- The Coelacanths v The Eagles (19:00)
- Zambia versus The Atlas Lions (7pm)
Second Division Matches
- Coventry v Ipswich (6pm)
- The Foxes v Derby
- Middlesbrough versus Hull
- The Lions v Bristol City
- The Red Dragons v Preston
League One
- Cardiff versus Boro
Latest Lineup Updates
Coventry v Ipswich Team News
The evening's opener, featuring the sides sitting top and third in the Championship, promises to be a cracker. Here are the confirmed lineups.
Coventry City (a 4-2-3-1 formation) The goalkeeper; the right-back, the centre-back, Kitching, Brau; the midfielder, the captain; the winger, Rudoni, Mason-Clark; the striker.
Substitutes: The backup keeper, the midfielder, the forward, the defender, the full-back, Latibeaudiere, Eccles, the youngster, Andrews.
Ipswich Town (a 4-2-3-1 setup) The shot-stopper; Furlong, O’Shea, the defender, the left-back; Matusiwa, the midfielder; the attacker, the playmaker, the winger; the centre-forward.
Substitutes: The goalkeeper, the defender, the midfielder, the defender, the midfielder, Burns, the forward, Philogene-Bidace, the striker.
The official Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: Group A Scenarios
Look, it’s complicated. That's often the case where only some third-placed sides qualify. This is the current state before tonight’s final set of games.
- Morocco 4pts, +2 goal difference
- The Eagles 2 points, 0 goal difference (goals scored 2)
- Zambia 2pts, 0 goal difference (with 1 goal for)
- Comoros 1 point, GD-2
In short, Morocco is likely safe though they will aim to defeat Zambia to win the group. Zambia likely requires a draw or better against the hosts. Comoros likely need to beat their rivals, who will probably be okay with a draw.
Many possibilities, various outcomes, plenty of scenarios.
Egypt's Match with Angola Update
The conclusion of the second group at the continental championship has coverage elsewhere. For those wishing to remain unaware, don’t click the link.
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 |
