The Sky Blues versus Ipswich, Leicester versus The Rams, along with More EFL League Updates
Greetings for a busy night of EFL as well as international soccer fixtures. We'll be covering key second-tier matches plus the crucial last pool games in this Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
Introduction
Oh, hi folks. Welcome to the reportedly this second-to-last soccer live blog of 2025. We have an extensive EFL programme, kicking off with Coventry v Ipswich at 18:00, while we will also monitor a close watch on both night games from the first group at this Afcon: Zambia against the hosts Morocco as well as Comoros v Mali.
Our primary attention will be on these matches, all 19:45 kick-offs unless stated.
Afcon 2025
- The Coelacanths versus Mali (7pm)
- Zambia v The Atlas Lions (7pm)
Championship
- The Sky Blues v The Tractor Boys (18:00)
- The Foxes v Derby
- Boro versus The Tigers
- The Lions v The Robins
- Wrexham v North End
Third Tier Fixture
- Cardiff v Boro
Recent Lineup Updates
Coventry v Ipswich Confirmed Lineups
The evening's opener, between the teams who are first and third in the second tier, looks like a thriller. These are the confirmed lineups.
Coventry City (a 4-2-3-1 formation) The goalkeeper; the right-back, the centre-back, the defender, Brau; Torp, the captain; the winger, Rudoni, the forward; Wright.
Subs: The backup keeper, the midfielder, the forward, the defender, the full-back, Latibeaudiere, the midfielder, the youngster, the player.
Ipswich (a 4-2-3-1 setup) Walton; Furlong, O’Shea, the defender, Greaves; Matusiwa, Taylor; the attacker, the playmaker, Jack Clarke; Azon.
Subs: Palmer, Young, the midfielder, Humphreys, the midfielder, the winger, McAteer, Philogene-Bidace, the striker.
Referee Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Afcon 2025: First Group Permutations
Look, it’s complicated. It always is when some but not all third-place teams progress. Here’s how things look before tonight’s final round of games.
- Morocco 4pts, GD+2
- Mali 2 points, GD0 (with 2 goals for)
- Zambia 2 points, GD0 (with 1 goal for)
- Comoros 1pt, -2 goal difference
In short, Morocco are probably fine but will want to defeat Zambia and top the group. Zambia probably need a draw or better versus the hosts. Comoros probably must to beat their rivals, who will probably be okay if they get a draw.
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. For those wishing to remain unaware, don’t click the link.
Championship 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 |