The Sky Blues v Ipswich, The Foxes v The Rams, and More Football League Updates
Welcome for the full evening of Football League as well as international soccer fixtures. We'll be covering major second-tier clashes and the crucial final pool games in this Afcon competition.
Preamble
Hello everyone. You are welcome to what is arguably the penultimate football live blog of 2025. There’s a full EFL programme, kicking off with Coventry v Ipswich at 6pm, while we will also monitor a close watch on both night fixtures from Group A at the Africa Cup of Nations: Morocco hosting Zambia and Comoros v Mali.
We'll be focussing on the following games, all 7.45pm kick-offs except where noted.
Afcon 2025
- Comoros versus The Eagles (7pm)
- The Copper Bullets versus Morocco (7pm)
Second Division Matches
- Coventry versus The Tractor Boys (6pm)
- Leicester versus Derby
- Boro versus Hull
- Millwall versus Bristol City
- Wrexham v Preston
Third Tier Fixture
- Cardiff v Stevenage
Latest Lineup Updates
Ipswich at Coventry Confirmed Lineups
The early game, between the teams who are first and third in the second tier, promises to be an exciting match. Here are the confirmed lineups.
Coventry City (a 4-2-3-1 formation) The goalkeeper; van Ewijk, the centre-back, Kitching, the left-back; Torp, Grimes; the winger, Rudoni, Mason-Clark; Wright.
Substitutes: The backup keeper, Allen, Simms, Kesler-Hayden, Bidwell, Latibeaudiere, the midfielder, Perry, Andrews.
Ipswich (4-2-3-1) Walton; the defender, O’Shea, Kipre, Greaves; the midfielder, Taylor; Walle, the playmaker, Jack Clarke; Azon.
Substitutes: The goalkeeper, the defender, the midfielder, the defender, the midfielder, the winger, the forward, the attacker, Akpom.
The official Anthony Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Afcon 2025: Group A Permutations
It's a tricky picture. It always is when some but not all third-placed teams progress. Here’s how things look before this evening's last set of matches.
- Morocco 4 points, +2 goal difference
- Mali 2pts, 0 goal difference (with 2 goals for)
- The Copper Bullets 2 points, GD0 (with 1 goal for)
- The Coelacanths 1pt, -2 goal difference
To summarize, Morocco are probably fine but will want to beat Zambia to top their pool. Zambia likely requires a draw or better against Morocco. The island nation probably must to beat Mali, who will probably be okay if they get a draw.
Lotta ins, lotta outs, lotta what-have-yous.
Egypt's Match with Angola Latest
The conclusion of Group B at this continental championship is being covered. For those wishing to remain unaware, avoid following that coverage.
Second Tier Standings 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 |