The Sky Blues against Ipswich, Leicester against Derby, and More EFL League Updates
Greetings for the packed evening of EFL and international soccer action. Our focus includes key second-tier clashes plus the pivotal last group matches in the Africa Cup of Nations competition.
Introduction
Hello everyone. You are welcome to what is checks writing desk rota this second-to-last soccer live blog of 2025. There’s an extensive Football League slate, starting with Coventry v Ipswich at 18:00, and we’ll also be keeping a close watch on the two night games from the first group at the Afcon: Morocco hosting Zambia and Comoros v Mali.
We'll be focussing on the following matches, all 7.45pm start times unless stated.
Afcon 2025
- Comoros versus The Eagles (7pm)
- Zambia v Morocco (7pm)
Second Division Matches
- The Sky Blues versus The Tractor Boys (18:00)
- The Foxes versus The Rams
- Boro v Hull
- The Lions v The Robins
- Wrexham versus Preston
Third Tier Fixture
- Cardiff versus Boro
Recent Team News
Coventry v Ipswich Team News
The evening's opener, between the teams who are top and third in the Championship, could be a cracker. Here are the confirmed lineups.
Coventry (a 4-2-3-1 formation) The goalkeeper; the right-back, the centre-back, Kitching, Brau; Torp, Grimes; the winger, the attacking midfielder, the forward; Wright.
Subs: The backup keeper, the midfielder, Simms, Kesler-Hayden, the full-back, Latibeaudiere, Eccles, the youngster, Andrews.
Ipswich (4-2-3-1) The shot-stopper; Furlong, the centre-half, the defender, Greaves; Matusiwa, Taylor; the attacker, Nunez, Jack Clarke; the centre-forward.
Subs: The goalkeeper, Young, Johnson, Humphreys, the midfielder, the winger, McAteer, Philogene-Bidace, Akpom.
Referee Backhouse (Cumbria).
Afcon 2025: First Group Permutations
The situation is complex. That's often the case when some but not all third-place teams progress. This is the current state ahead of tonight’s last round of games.
- Morocco 4 points, +2 goal difference
- The Eagles 2pts, 0 goal difference (goals scored 2)
- Zambia 2pts, GD0 (goals scored 1)
- Comoros 1 point, GD-2
Briefly, Morocco is likely safe but will want to beat their opponents to top their pool. Zambia likely requires at least a point against Morocco. The island nation likely need to overcome Mali, who will probably be okay if they get a draw.
Lotta ins, lotta outs, lotta what-have-yous.
Angola v Egypt Update
The conclusion to the second group at this Africa Cup of Nations is being covered. For those wishing to remain unaware, avoid following that coverage.
Championship 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 |
