The Sky Blues versus Ipswich, The Foxes against The Rams, along with More Football League Previews
Welcome to the packed night of EFL and continental football action. Our focus includes key Championship clashes plus the pivotal last pool games in the Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
Preamble
Oh, hi folks. You are welcome to what is arguably this second-to-last football live blog of 2025. We have an extensive Football League programme, kicking off with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 18:00, while we’ll also be keeping a close watch on the two night games from Group A at this Afcon: Morocco hosting Zambia and Comoros v Mali.
Our primary attention will be on these fixtures, with 7.45pm kick-offs unless stated.
Afcon 2025
- Comoros v The Eagles (7pm)
- Zambia versus Morocco (7pm)
Second Division Matches
- The Sky Blues v The Tractor Boys (18:00)
- Leicester versus Derby
- Middlesbrough versus The Tigers
- Millwall versus Bristol City
- Wrexham versus Preston
Third Tier Fixture
- The Bluebirds v Boro
Recent Team News
Coventry v Ipswich Team News
The evening's opener, featuring the sides sitting first and third in the Championship, could be a cracker. Here are the two XIs.
Coventry City (a 4-2-3-1 formation) The goalkeeper; the right-back, the centre-back, the defender, the left-back; Torp, Grimes; Sakamoto, Rudoni, Mason-Clark; the striker.
Substitutes: Wilson, Allen, Simms, the defender, Bidwell, Latibeaudiere, the midfielder, the youngster, Andrews.
Ipswich (4-2-3-1) The shot-stopper; Furlong, O’Shea, Kipre, Greaves; Matusiwa, Taylor; the attacker, Nunez, the winger; Azon.
Subs: Palmer, Young, the midfielder, the defender, the midfielder, the winger, McAteer, Philogene-Bidace, Akpom.
The official Anthony Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: First Group Permutations
It's a tricky picture. That's often the case when some but not all third-placed sides progress. Here’s how things look ahead of this evening's final set of games.
- The Atlas Lions 4 points, GD+2
- Mali 2pts, 0 goal difference (goals scored 2)
- The Copper Bullets 2pts, GD0 (with 1 goal for)
- The Coelacanths 1pt, GD-2
In short, Morocco are probably fine but will want to beat Zambia and top their pool. Zambia probably need at least a point versus the hosts. The island nation likely need to beat their rivals, who should advance if they get a draw.
Lotta ins, lotta outs, lotta what-have-yous.
Egypt's Match with Angola Latest
The denouement to Group B at the Africa Cup of Nations is being covered. For those wishing to remain unaware, avoid following that coverage.
Championship 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 |