The Sky Blues v Ipswich, Leicester v The Rams, along with More Football Action Updates
Welcome to a full evening of EFL and continental football action. The spotlight falls on important Championship clashes and the pivotal last pool games in the Afcon competition.
Preamble
Greetings to all. You are welcome to what is checks writing desk rota the penultimate soccer live blog of 2025. There’s a full Football League slate, kicking off with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 6pm, while we will also monitor at least a third of an eye on both evening fixtures from the first group at the Africa Cup of Nations: Morocco hosting Zambia and Comoros v Mali.
Our primary attention will be on the following fixtures, all 19:45 kick-offs except where noted.
Afcon 2025
- The Coelacanths versus The Eagles (7pm)
- Zambia versus The Atlas Lions (19:00)
Championship
- Coventry v Ipswich (18:00)
- Leicester v The Rams
- Boro v The Tigers
- Millwall v The Robins
- The Red Dragons versus Preston
League One
- Cardiff v Stevenage
Latest Team News
Coventry v Ipswich Confirmed Lineups
The early game, featuring the sides sitting top and third in the second tier, looks like an exciting match. These are the two XIs.
Coventry (4-2-3-1) Rushworth; van Ewijk, Woolfenden, Kitching, Brau; Torp, the captain; Sakamoto, the attacking midfielder, Mason-Clark; the striker.
Subs: Wilson, the midfielder, the forward, Kesler-Hayden, the full-back, Latibeaudiere, the midfielder, the youngster, the player.
Ipswich Town (a 4-2-3-1 setup) Walton; Furlong, the centre-half, Kipre, Greaves; the midfielder, the midfielder; Walle, the playmaker, the winger; the centre-forward.
Subs: The goalkeeper, the defender, Johnson, Humphreys, the midfielder, Burns, McAteer, the attacker, Akpom.
Referee Backhouse (Cumbria).
Afcon 2025: First Group Permutations
The situation is complex. It always is when some but not all third-placed sides progress. This is the current state before tonight’s last set of matches.
- Morocco 4pts, +2 goal difference
- The Eagles 2pts, GD0 (with 2 goals for)
- The Copper Bullets 2 points, 0 goal difference (goals scored 1)
- The Coelacanths 1 point, -2 goal difference
In short, Morocco is likely safe but will want to defeat their opponents to top their pool. Zambia probably need a draw or better versus the hosts. Comoros probably must to overcome their rivals, who should advance if they get a draw.
A host of potential results and permutations.
Egypt's Match with Angola Update
The denouement of the second group at this continental championship is being covered. For those wishing to remain unaware, avoid following that coverage.
Championship 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 |
