Coventry versus Ipswich, The Foxes v The Rams, along with Additional Football Action Previews
Greetings for the packed evening of EFL as well as international soccer fixtures. Our focus includes major second-tier encounters and those pivotal final pool matches in this Afcon competition.
Preamble
Hello everyone. You are welcome to the checks writing desk rota this penultimate football live blog of 2025. There’s a full EFL slate, starting with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 6pm, and we’ll also be keeping a close watch on the two night games from Group A at this Afcon: Morocco hosting Zambia as well as Mali facing Comoros.
We'll be focussing on the following games, all 19:45 start times except where noted.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- The Coelacanths v The Eagles (19:00)
- The Copper Bullets v Morocco (7pm)
Second Division Matches
- Coventry versus The Tractor Boys (6pm)
- The Foxes v The Rams
- Middlesbrough v Hull
- The Lions versus The Robins
- The Red Dragons v Preston
Third Tier Fixture
- Cardiff versus Stevenage
Recent Lineup Updates
Ipswich at Coventry Team News
The early game, between the teams who are first and third in the Championship, promises to be a thriller. Here are the confirmed lineups.
Coventry City (a 4-2-3-1 formation) Rushworth; van Ewijk, the centre-back, Kitching, the left-back; Torp, the captain; the winger, Rudoni, the forward; Wright.
Substitutes: Wilson, Allen, the forward, the defender, Bidwell, the defender, Eccles, Perry, the player.
Ipswich Town (4-2-3-1) Walton; the defender, the centre-half, Kipre, Greaves; Matusiwa, Taylor; the attacker, the playmaker, the winger; the centre-forward.
Substitutes: The goalkeeper, Young, the midfielder, Humphreys, Cajuste, Burns, the forward, the attacker, Akpom.
The official Anthony Backhouse (Cumbria).
Afcon 2025: First Group Permutations
Look, it’s complicated. That's often the case where only some third-place sides progress. This is the current state ahead of this evening's final round of matches.
- Morocco 4pts, GD+2
- The Eagles 2pts, GD0 (with 2 goals for)
- The Copper Bullets 2 points, GD0 (goals scored 1)
- Comoros 1pt, GD-2
In short, Morocco is likely safe though they will aim to beat their opponents to win their pool. Zambia probably need a draw or better versus the hosts. The island nation likely need to beat Mali, who will probably be okay if they get a point.
A host of potential results and permutations.
Angola v Egypt Latest
The final act of Group B at this Africa Cup of Nations is being covered. To avoid spoilers, 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 |
