Coventry versus Ipswich, The Foxes versus The Rams, and More EFL League Previews
Greetings for a full night of Football League as well as international soccer action. Our focus includes key second-tier encounters and the pivotal last group matches in this Afcon tournament.
Introduction
Hello everyone. Welcome to the reportedly the penultimate football live blog of 2025. There’s a full EFL slate, kicking off with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 18:00, and we’ll also be keeping a close watch on both evening games from Group A at the Africa Cup of Nations: Zambia against the hosts Morocco as well as Mali facing Comoros.
Our primary attention will be on these matches, all 19:45 kick-offs unless stated.
Afcon 2025
- The Coelacanths versus The Eagles (19:00)
- Zambia v Morocco (7pm)
Championship
- The Sky Blues v The Tractor Boys (18:00)
- Leicester v The Rams
- Middlesbrough versus The Tigers
- Millwall v The Robins
- The Red Dragons versus North End
Third Tier Fixture
- The Bluebirds v Boro
Recent Team News
Ipswich at Coventry Confirmed Lineups
The evening's opener, between the teams who are top and third in the Championship, looks like a thriller. Here are the starting elevens.
Coventry City (a 4-2-3-1 formation) The goalkeeper; van Ewijk, Woolfenden, the defender, the left-back; Torp, Grimes; the winger, Rudoni, Mason-Clark; the striker.
Subs: The backup keeper, the midfielder, Simms, the defender, Bidwell, the defender, the midfielder, Perry, Andrews.
Ipswich Town (a 4-2-3-1 setup) The shot-stopper; the defender, the centre-half, Kipre, Greaves; Matusiwa, Taylor; Walle, the playmaker, Jack Clarke; Azon.
Substitutes: Palmer, Young, the midfielder, Humphreys, the midfielder, Burns, the forward, the attacker, the striker.
The official Backhouse (Cumbria).
Afcon 2025: First Group Scenarios
Look, it’s complicated. It always is when some but not all third-placed sides qualify. This is the current state before tonight’s final round of matches.
- The Atlas Lions 4 points, +2 goal difference
- The Eagles 2pts, GD0 (goals scored 2)
- The Copper Bullets 2 points, 0 goal difference (goals scored 1)
- The Coelacanths 1pt, GD-2
In short, Morocco is likely safe but will want to beat their opponents to top their pool. Zambia probably need a draw or better against the hosts. The island nation likely must to overcome their rivals, who will probably be okay if they get a draw.
Many possibilities, various outcomes, plenty of scenarios.
Angola v Egypt Latest
The conclusion to Group B at the Africa Cup of Nations has coverage elsewhere. For those wishing to remain unaware, it's best not to seek out that information.
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 |
