Coventry v Ipswich, Leicester versus Derby, and Additional Football Action Updates
Hello for a full night of EFL as well as continental soccer action. Our focus includes major Championship encounters plus the pivotal last pool matches in this Africa Cup of Nations competition.
Preamble
Greetings to all. You are welcome to what is checks writing desk rota the penultimate football live blog of 2025. We have an extensive Football League slate, starting with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 6pm, and we’ll also be keeping a close watch on the two night fixtures from the first group at the Afcon: Zambia against the hosts Morocco and Comoros v Mali.
We'll be focussing on the following games, with 7.45pm start times unless stated.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- The Coelacanths v The Eagles (19:00)
- The Copper Bullets versus Morocco (19:00)
Championship
- The Sky Blues versus Ipswich (6pm)
- Leicester v Derby
- Boro v Hull
- The Lions v Bristol City
- Wrexham versus North End
Third Tier Fixture
- The Bluebirds v Boro
Latest Team News
Coventry v Ipswich Confirmed Lineups
The evening's opener, between the teams who are top and third in the Championship, looks like a cracker. These are the starting elevens.
Coventry (a 4-2-3-1 formation) Rushworth; van Ewijk, the centre-back, Kitching, the left-back; the midfielder, the captain; Sakamoto, Rudoni, the forward; the striker.
Subs: The backup keeper, Allen, the forward, Kesler-Hayden, the full-back, Latibeaudiere, the midfielder, Perry, the player.
Ipswich Town (a 4-2-3-1 setup) Walton; Furlong, the centre-half, the defender, the left-back; Matusiwa, the midfielder; the attacker, the playmaker, Jack Clarke; the centre-forward.
Substitutes: The goalkeeper, Young, Johnson, Humphreys, the midfielder, the winger, the forward, Philogene-Bidace, Akpom.
The official Anthony Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Afcon 2025: First Group Permutations
It's a tricky picture. That's often the case when some but not all third-place sides progress. Here’s how things look ahead of this evening's final round of matches.
- Morocco 4 points, GD+2
- The Eagles 2 points, GD0 (goals scored 2)
- The Copper Bullets 2 points, GD0 (goals scored 1)
- The Coelacanths 1pt, GD-2
To summarize, Morocco are probably fine but will want to defeat Zambia and top their pool. Zambia likely requires a draw or better versus the hosts. Comoros likely must to overcome Mali, who should advance with a point.
Lotta ins, lotta outs, lotta what-have-yous.
Egypt's Match with Angola Latest
The conclusion to the second group at this continental championship is being covered. For those wishing to remain unaware, don’t click the link.
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 |
