Coventry against Ipswich, The Foxes versus The Rams, and More EFL Action Updates
Greetings for the packed evening of EFL as well as continental soccer action. We'll be covering key second-tier clashes plus the crucial final group games in the Africa Cup of Nations competition.
Introduction
Greetings to all. You are welcome to the arguably the penultimate soccer live blog of 2025. There’s a full Football League programme, kicking off with Coventry v Ipswich at 6pm, and we will also monitor a close watch on both evening fixtures from the first group at this Africa Cup of Nations: Zambia against the hosts Morocco and Mali facing Comoros.
We'll be focussing on these games, all 7.45pm kick-offs unless stated.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- The Coelacanths versus The Eagles (7pm)
- The Copper Bullets versus Morocco (7pm)
Second Division Matches
- The Sky Blues versus Ipswich (6pm)
- Leicester v The Rams
- Middlesbrough v The Tigers
- Millwall versus Bristol City
- Wrexham versus North End
Third Tier Fixture
- Cardiff v Stevenage
Latest Team News
Ipswich at Coventry Confirmed Lineups
The early game, featuring the sides sitting first and third in the second tier, promises to be a thriller. Here are the two XIs.
Coventry (4-2-3-1) Rushworth; the right-back, the centre-back, Kitching, the left-back; the midfielder, the captain; Sakamoto, Rudoni, the forward; the striker.
Substitutes: Wilson, Allen, the forward, Kesler-Hayden, the full-back, the defender, the midfielder, the youngster, Andrews.
Ipswich Town (4-2-3-1) Walton; the defender, O’Shea, the defender, Greaves; Matusiwa, Taylor; the attacker, Nunez, Jack Clarke; Azon.
Substitutes: Palmer, the defender, Johnson, the defender, the midfielder, the winger, the forward, the attacker, Akpom.
Referee Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: First Group Permutations
Look, it’s complicated. That's often the case when some but not all third-placed teams qualify. This is the current state before this evening's final set of matches.
- Morocco 4pts, +2 goal difference
- Mali 2pts, GD0 (with 2 goals for)
- Zambia 2pts, 0 goal difference (with 1 goal for)
- Comoros 1 point, GD-2
Briefly, Morocco are probably fine but will want to beat their opponents and win their pool. Zambia probably need a draw or better against the hosts. Comoros probably need to overcome Mali, who should advance if they get a draw.
Lotta ins, lotta outs, lotta what-have-yous.
Egypt's Match with Angola Update
The conclusion to Group B at this continental championship has coverage elsewhere. For those wishing to remain unaware, avoid following that coverage.
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 |
