The Sky Blues against Ipswich, The Foxes against The Rams, along with Additional EFL Action Updates
Welcome to a packed night of Football League and international soccer action. The spotlight falls on important second-tier encounters and the crucial last pool games in the Afcon tournament.
Opening Notes
Greetings to all. You are welcome to what is checks writing desk rota the second-to-last soccer live blog of 2025. We have a full EFL schedule, kicking off with Coventry v Ipswich at 6pm, and we’ll also be keeping a close watch on the two night fixtures from the first group at this Africa Cup of Nations: Morocco hosting Zambia and Mali facing Comoros.
We'll be focussing on these fixtures, all 19:45 kick-offs unless stated.
Afcon 2025
- Comoros v The Eagles (7pm)
- The Copper Bullets v The Atlas Lions (19:00)
Second Division Matches
- Coventry versus The Tractor Boys (6pm)
- The Foxes versus The Rams
- Middlesbrough v The Tigers
- Millwall versus Bristol City
- Wrexham v North End
Third Tier Fixture
- Cardiff versus Stevenage
Recent Team News
Ipswich at Coventry Confirmed Lineups
The evening's opener, featuring the sides sitting first and third in the second tier, looks like a cracker. These are the confirmed lineups.
Coventry (4-2-3-1) Rushworth; van Ewijk, the centre-back, the defender, Brau; the midfielder, the captain; the winger, the attacking midfielder, Mason-Clark; the striker.
Subs: Wilson, the midfielder, the forward, the defender, Bidwell, Latibeaudiere, Eccles, the youngster, Andrews.
Ipswich Town (4-2-3-1) The shot-stopper; Furlong, O’Shea, Kipre, the left-back; the midfielder, the midfielder; the attacker, the playmaker, Jack Clarke; Azon.
Subs: Palmer, the defender, the midfielder, the defender, the midfielder, Burns, the forward, Philogene-Bidace, the striker.
Referee Backhouse (Cumbria).
Afcon 2025: Group A Scenarios
Look, it’s complicated. That's often the case when some but not all third-placed sides qualify. This is the current state before this evening's final set of games.
- Morocco 4pts, GD+2
- Mali 2pts, GD0 (goals scored 2)
- Zambia 2 points, 0 goal difference (with 1 goal for)
- Comoros 1pt, -2 goal difference
In short, Morocco is likely safe though they will aim to beat Zambia to win their pool. Zambia probably need at least a point against the hosts. Comoros probably need to beat Mali, who should advance if they get a point.
Lotta ins, lotta outs, lotta what-have-yous.
Angola v Egypt Update
The final act of the second group at the continental championship is being covered. To avoid spoilers, 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 |
