The Sky Blues versus Ipswich, Leicester versus Derby, along with More EFL Action Previews
Greetings for the busy evening of EFL as well as international soccer fixtures. We'll be covering major second-tier matches and those crucial last group games in this Afcon competition.
Opening Notes
Oh, hi folks. Welcome to what is arguably this penultimate soccer live blog of 2025. We have an extensive EFL slate, starting with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 18:00, while we will also monitor at least a third of an eye on the two evening games 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 fixtures, with 19:45 kick-offs except where noted.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- The Coelacanths v Mali (7pm)
- The Copper Bullets versus The Atlas Lions (7pm)
Second Division Matches
- Coventry versus The Tractor Boys (6pm)
- Leicester versus The Rams
- Middlesbrough versus Hull
- Millwall versus Bristol City
- Wrexham versus North End
Third Tier Fixture
- The Bluebirds versus Stevenage
Latest Team News
Coventry v Ipswich Team News
The evening's opener, featuring the sides sitting top and third in the second tier, promises to be a thriller. Here are the two XIs.
Coventry City (4-2-3-1) Rushworth; the right-back, the centre-back, the defender, Brau; Torp, Grimes; the winger, the attacking midfielder, Mason-Clark; Wright.
Subs: The backup keeper, the midfielder, Simms, Kesler-Hayden, the full-back, Latibeaudiere, the midfielder, the youngster, Andrews.
Ipswich (a 4-2-3-1 setup) Walton; Furlong, O’Shea, the defender, Greaves; the midfielder, the midfielder; Walle, Nunez, the winger; Azon.
Substitutes: The goalkeeper, the defender, the midfielder, Humphreys, Cajuste, Burns, the forward, the attacker, Akpom.
Referee Backhouse (Cumbria).
Afcon 2025: Group A Scenarios
Look, it’s complicated. It always is where only some third-place teams progress. Here’s how things look before this evening's final set of matches.
- The Atlas Lions 4pts, GD+2
- Mali 2pts, GD0 (goals scored 2)
- Zambia 2 points, GD0 (with 1 goal for)
- Comoros 1 point, -2 goal difference
In short, Morocco are probably fine but will want to defeat their opponents and top the group. Zambia probably need at least a point against the hosts. Comoros likely must to overcome their rivals, who should advance with a point.
Many possibilities, various outcomes, plenty of scenarios.
Egypt's Match with Angola Update
The conclusion to the second group at the Africa Cup of Nations has coverage elsewhere. To avoid spoilers, avoid following that coverage.
Championship Standings 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 |
