The Sky Blues versus The Tractor Boys, The Foxes v Derby, along with Additional EFL League Updates
Greetings to the full night of EFL as well as international soccer fixtures. The spotlight falls on major Championship matches plus those crucial last group games in the Afcon competition.
Introduction
Greetings to all. You are welcome to the checks writing desk rota this penultimate soccer live blog of 2025. There’s a full Football League programme, kicking off with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 18:00, and we’ll also be keeping at least a third of an eye on the two evening fixtures from Group A at this Africa Cup of Nations: Morocco hosting Zambia as well as Mali facing Comoros.
We'll be focussing on the following fixtures, all 7.45pm start times unless stated.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- Comoros v Mali (19:00)
- Zambia v The Atlas Lions (19:00)
Second Division Matches
- Coventry versus The Tractor Boys (6pm)
- The Foxes v The Rams
- Middlesbrough versus The Tigers
- Millwall v Bristol City
- The Red Dragons versus North End
Third Tier Fixture
- Cardiff versus Boro
Recent Team News
Ipswich at Coventry Confirmed Lineups
The evening's opener, featuring the sides sitting top and third in the Championship, promises to be a cracker. Here are the confirmed lineups.
Coventry City (a 4-2-3-1 formation) The goalkeeper; van Ewijk, the centre-back, the defender, Brau; the midfielder, the captain; the winger, the attacking midfielder, Mason-Clark; Wright.
Substitutes: Wilson, Allen, the forward, the defender, the full-back, the defender, Eccles, Perry, the player.
Ipswich (4-2-3-1) The shot-stopper; the defender, the centre-half, Kipre, Greaves; Matusiwa, Taylor; the attacker, Nunez, the winger; the centre-forward.
Substitutes: The goalkeeper, the defender, the midfielder, the defender, Cajuste, Burns, the forward, the attacker, the striker.
The official Anthony Backhouse (Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: Group A Permutations
Look, it’s complicated. It always is where only some third-placed sides progress. This is the current state before tonight’s last set of matches.
- The Atlas Lions 4pts, GD+2
- The Eagles 2pts, 0 goal difference (with 2 goals for)
- Zambia 2pts, GD0 (with 1 goal for)
- Comoros 1pt, -2 goal difference
In short, Morocco are probably fine though they will aim to defeat Zambia and top their pool. Zambia likely requires at least a point versus the hosts. Comoros probably must to beat Mali, who should advance with a point.
Lotta ins, lotta outs, lotta what-have-yous.
Egypt's Match with Angola Latest
The final act to Group B at this continental championship has coverage elsewhere. To avoid spoilers, avoid following that coverage.
Championship Table 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 |
