Coventry v The Tractor Boys, Leicester versus Derby, along with More EFL League Updates
Greetings to the busy night of Football League and continental football fixtures. Our focus includes key Championship matches and the pivotal last group games in the Afcon competition.
Opening Notes
Oh, hi folks. Welcome to what is reportedly this penultimate soccer live blog of 2025. We have a full EFL slate, 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 the Afcon: Morocco hosting Zambia as well as Mali facing Comoros.
We'll be focussing on these matches, with 19:45 kick-offs unless stated.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- The Coelacanths v The Eagles (7pm)
- The Copper Bullets v The Atlas Lions (7pm)
Championship
- Coventry versus The Tractor Boys (6pm)
- Leicester v Derby
- Middlesbrough v The Tigers
- The Lions versus The Robins
- Wrexham v North End
Third Tier Fixture
- Cardiff v Boro
Latest Team News
Ipswich at Coventry Team News
The evening's opener, featuring the sides sitting first and third in the second tier, could be an exciting match. Here are the confirmed lineups.
Coventry City (4-2-3-1) The goalkeeper; the right-back, the centre-back, the defender, Brau; the midfielder, the captain; Sakamoto, Rudoni, Mason-Clark; the striker.
Substitutes: The backup keeper, Allen, Simms, Kesler-Hayden, the full-back, the defender, the midfielder, the youngster, the player.
Ipswich (4-2-3-1) The shot-stopper; Furlong, the centre-half, Kipre, the left-back; Matusiwa, Taylor; the attacker, Nunez, Jack Clarke; Azon.
Substitutes: Palmer, Young, the midfielder, the defender, the midfielder, Burns, McAteer, the attacker, Akpom.
The official Anthony Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: First Group Scenarios
The situation is complex. That's often the case when some but not all third-place sides progress. This is the current state before tonight’s last round of matches.
- Morocco 4 points, GD+2
- The Eagles 2 points, 0 goal difference (with 2 goals for)
- The Copper Bullets 2pts, GD0 (with 1 goal for)
- Comoros 1 point, -2 goal difference
To summarize, Morocco is likely safe though they will aim to beat their opponents to top the group. Zambia probably need a draw or better against the hosts. Comoros likely must to overcome their rivals, who should advance if they get a point.
Lotta ins, lotta outs, lotta what-have-yous.
Egypt's Match with Angola Update
The final act to Group B at this continental championship is being covered. 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 |
