Coventry v Ipswich, Leicester v Derby, and More Football Action Previews
Welcome to a packed evening of EFL as well as continental soccer fixtures. Our focus includes key Championship encounters plus the crucial last pool games in the Africa Cup of Nations competition.
Opening Notes
Hello everyone. Welcome to the arguably this second-to-last football live blog of 2025. We have a full EFL slate, starting with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 18:00, and we’ll also be keeping a close watch on the two evening fixtures from Group A at the Africa Cup of Nations: Zambia against the hosts Morocco and Comoros v Mali.
Our primary attention will be on the following fixtures, all 19:45 start times except where noted.
Afcon 2025
- Comoros v The Eagles (7pm)
- The Copper Bullets v Morocco (7pm)
Second Division Matches
- Coventry versus The Tractor Boys (18:00)
- Leicester versus Derby
- Boro versus The Tigers
- The Lions versus Bristol City
- The Red Dragons v North End
League One
- The Bluebirds versus Stevenage
Latest Lineup Updates
Coventry v Ipswich Confirmed Lineups
The evening's opener, between the teams who are first and third in the Championship, looks like a thriller. Here are the two XIs.
Coventry City (4-2-3-1) The goalkeeper; the right-back, Woolfenden, the defender, the left-back; the midfielder, Grimes; Sakamoto, the attacking midfielder, Mason-Clark; Wright.
Subs: Wilson, the midfielder, the forward, the defender, Bidwell, Latibeaudiere, Eccles, the youngster, the player.
Ipswich (4-2-3-1) The shot-stopper; the defender, the centre-half, Kipre, the left-back; the midfielder, Taylor; the attacker, Nunez, the winger; Azon.
Subs: The goalkeeper, Young, the midfielder, Humphreys, the midfielder, Burns, McAteer, the attacker, Akpom.
The official Backhouse (Cumbria).
Afcon 2025: First Group Permutations
The situation is complex. It always is when some but not all third-placed teams qualify. Here’s how things look before tonight’s final set of matches.
- Morocco 4 points, GD+2
- Mali 2 points, GD0 (goals scored 2)
- The Copper Bullets 2 points, 0 goal difference (goals scored 1)
- The Coelacanths 1pt, GD-2
To summarize, Morocco is likely safe but will want to beat their opponents to win their pool. Zambia probably need a draw or better versus the hosts. Comoros probably need to overcome Mali, who should advance with a draw.
Many possibilities, various outcomes, plenty of scenarios.
Egypt's Match with Angola Update
The denouement of Group B at this continental championship is being covered. To avoid spoilers, don’t click the link.
Second Tier 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 |
