The Sky Blues against Ipswich, Leicester against Derby, along with More EFL League Updates
Welcome for the full evening of Football League as well as international football fixtures. We'll be covering important second-tier encounters and the crucial last group matches in this Africa Cup of Nations competition.
Preamble
Oh, hi folks. Welcome to the checks writing desk rota this second-to-last football live blog of 2025. There’s an extensive Football League programme, starting with Coventry v Ipswich at 18:00, while we’ll also be keeping a close watch on both evening games from Group A at this Afcon: Morocco hosting Zambia as well as Comoros v Mali.
We'll be focussing on these matches, all 7.45pm kick-offs unless stated.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- The Coelacanths v Mali (19:00)
- Zambia v Morocco (19:00)
Second Division Matches
- Coventry v Ipswich (18:00)
- Leicester versus Derby
- Middlesbrough versus The Tigers
- Millwall v The Robins
- The Red Dragons versus North End
League One
- Cardiff v Stevenage
Latest Lineup Updates
Ipswich at Coventry Confirmed Lineups
The early game, featuring the sides sitting top and third in the Championship, promises to be a thriller. Here are the confirmed lineups.
Coventry (4-2-3-1) Rushworth; the right-back, the centre-back, the defender, Brau; the midfielder, the captain; Sakamoto, the attacking midfielder, the forward; Wright.
Substitutes: Wilson, Allen, Simms, Kesler-Hayden, Bidwell, Latibeaudiere, the midfielder, the youngster, the player.
Ipswich Town (a 4-2-3-1 setup) The shot-stopper; the defender, O’Shea, the defender, the left-back; Matusiwa, Taylor; the attacker, Nunez, the winger; the centre-forward.
Substitutes: The goalkeeper, the defender, Johnson, Humphreys, the midfielder, Burns, McAteer, the attacker, Akpom.
Referee Backhouse (Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: Group A Permutations
Look, it’s complicated. It always is when some but not all third-place sides qualify. This is the current state before tonight’s final set of matches.
- Morocco 4pts, GD+2
- The Eagles 2pts, GD0 (with 2 goals for)
- Zambia 2 points, 0 goal difference (with 1 goal for)
- Comoros 1 point, -2 goal difference
To summarize, Morocco are probably fine though they will aim to defeat Zambia and win the group. Zambia likely requires a draw or better against the hosts. Comoros likely need to beat their rivals, who should advance with a draw.
A host of potential results and permutations.
Egypt's Match with Angola Update
The conclusion to Group B at this continental championship has coverage elsewhere. If you don’t want to know the score, it's best not to seek out that information.
Second Tier 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 |
