Coventry v The Tractor Boys, Leicester versus The Rams, along with More EFL League Previews
Hello for a packed evening of Football League and continental football fixtures. The spotlight falls on key second-tier matches and those pivotal final pool matches in the Africa Cup of Nations competition.
Introduction
Greetings to all. Welcome to the arguably the penultimate soccer live blog of 2025. There’s an extensive EFL programme, starting with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 18:00, while we’ll also be keeping a close watch on both night fixtures from the first group at this Africa Cup of Nations: Zambia against the hosts Morocco as well as Mali facing Comoros.
We'll be focussing on the following games, with 19:45 kick-offs except where noted.
Afcon 2025
- The Coelacanths versus The Eagles (19:00)
- Zambia v Morocco (7pm)
Second Division Matches
- Coventry versus The Tractor Boys (6pm)
- The Foxes v The Rams
- Middlesbrough v Hull
- Millwall versus Bristol City
- The Red Dragons versus Preston
League One
- The Bluebirds v Boro
Latest Team News
Ipswich at Coventry Confirmed Lineups
The evening's opener, between the teams who are top and third in the second tier, promises to be an exciting match. These are the confirmed lineups.
Coventry (4-2-3-1) The goalkeeper; van Ewijk, the centre-back, Kitching, Brau; the midfielder, Grimes; the winger, the attacking midfielder, the forward; Wright.
Substitutes: Wilson, the midfielder, Simms, Kesler-Hayden, Bidwell, the defender, Eccles, Perry, Andrews.
Ipswich (a 4-2-3-1 setup) Walton; Furlong, O’Shea, Kipre, Greaves; Matusiwa, the midfielder; the attacker, Nunez, the winger; the centre-forward.
Subs: The goalkeeper, Young, the midfielder, Humphreys, Cajuste, Burns, McAteer, the attacker, the striker.
The official Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: First Group Scenarios
Look, it’s complicated. That's often the case when some but not all third-placed teams qualify. This is the current state before tonight’s last round of matches.
- The Atlas Lions 4 points, GD+2
- Mali 2pts, 0 goal difference (goals scored 2)
- The Copper Bullets 2pts, GD0 (goals scored 1)
- Comoros 1 point, -2 goal difference
In short, Morocco is likely safe though they will aim to beat their opponents and top the group. Zambia probably need a draw or better versus the hosts. The island nation probably need to beat their rivals, who will probably be okay if they get a point.
Lotta ins, lotta outs, lotta what-have-yous.
Angola v Egypt Update
The final act of the second group at this Africa Cup of Nations is being covered. To avoid spoilers, don’t click the link.
Championship 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 |