The Sky Blues versus Ipswich, Leicester versus The Rams, along with Additional Football League Previews
Hello to a packed night of EFL as well as international soccer fixtures. We'll be covering key second-tier encounters and the pivotal last pool matches in the Africa Cup of Nations competition.
Preamble
Oh, hi folks. You are welcome to what is checks writing desk rota the penultimate football live blog of 2025. There’s a full Football League programme, kicking off with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 18:00, 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 the following fixtures, with 7.45pm kick-offs unless stated.
Afcon 2025
- The Coelacanths v The Eagles (19:00)
- The Copper Bullets versus Morocco (19:00)
Championship
- Coventry versus Ipswich (18:00)
- Leicester versus The Rams
- Boro v Hull
- The Lions versus Bristol City
- Wrexham v North End
Third Tier Fixture
- The Bluebirds versus Stevenage
Recent Team News
Ipswich at Coventry Team News
The early game, between the teams who are first and third in the Championship, promises to be a thriller. Here are the two XIs.
Coventry (a 4-2-3-1 formation) The goalkeeper; van Ewijk, the centre-back, Kitching, Brau; Torp, the captain; Sakamoto, Rudoni, the forward; Wright.
Subs: Wilson, Allen, Simms, the defender, the full-back, Latibeaudiere, Eccles, Perry, Andrews.
Ipswich Town (a 4-2-3-1 setup) The shot-stopper; Furlong, O’Shea, Kipre, Greaves; the midfielder, Taylor; Walle, Nunez, Jack Clarke; Azon.
Subs: The goalkeeper, the defender, Johnson, Humphreys, Cajuste, Burns, McAteer, Philogene-Bidace, the striker.
Referee Anthony Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Afcon 2025: Group A Scenarios
The situation is complex. That's often the case where only some third-place sides progress. This is the current state ahead of this evening's last set of games.
- Morocco 4pts, +2 goal difference
- Mali 2 points, GD0 (goals scored 2)
- The Copper Bullets 2pts, 0 goal difference (with 1 goal for)
- The Coelacanths 1 point, -2 goal difference
To summarize, Morocco are probably fine though they will aim to defeat Zambia to top their pool. Zambia likely requires a draw or better against Morocco. The island nation probably need to beat their rivals, who will probably be okay if they get a draw.
Many possibilities, various outcomes, plenty of scenarios.
Angola v Egypt Update
The final act to the second group at the continental championship is being covered. For those wishing to remain unaware, avoid following that coverage.
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 |
