Coventry against Ipswich, Leicester versus The Rams, and More Football Action Updates
Welcome to the packed evening of EFL as well as international soccer action. Our focus includes important second-tier clashes and those pivotal last pool games in the Afcon tournament.
Preamble
Greetings to all. You are welcome to what is checks writing desk rota the penultimate football live blog of 2025. There’s a full Football League programme, starting with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 18:00, while we will also monitor a close watch on the two night fixtures from Group A at the Afcon: Morocco hosting Zambia and Comoros v Mali.
We'll be focussing on these games, all 19:45 kick-offs unless stated.
Afcon 2025
- The Coelacanths v The Eagles (19:00)
- Zambia v The Atlas Lions (7pm)
Championship
- Coventry v The Tractor Boys (18:00)
- Leicester v Derby
- Boro versus The Tigers
- Millwall versus Bristol City
- Wrexham v Preston
Third Tier Fixture
- The Bluebirds versus Stevenage
Recent Lineup Updates
Coventry v Ipswich Confirmed Lineups
The early game, featuring the sides sitting first and third in the Championship, promises to be an exciting match. These are the confirmed lineups.
Coventry (a 4-2-3-1 formation) The goalkeeper; van Ewijk, Woolfenden, the defender, Brau; Torp, Grimes; the winger, the attacking midfielder, the forward; the striker.
Substitutes: Wilson, the midfielder, Simms, Kesler-Hayden, Bidwell, the defender, Eccles, Perry, the player.
Ipswich Town (a 4-2-3-1 setup) Walton; the defender, O’Shea, the defender, Greaves; the midfielder, Taylor; Walle, Nunez, Jack Clarke; Azon.
Substitutes: Palmer, Young, the midfielder, Humphreys, Cajuste, the winger, the forward, Philogene-Bidace, the striker.
The official Backhouse (Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: Group A Scenarios
It's a tricky picture. It always is when some but not all third-placed sides progress. Here’s how things look before tonight’s final set of games.
- Morocco 4pts, +2 goal difference
- The Eagles 2 points, GD0 (goals scored 2)
- The Copper Bullets 2pts, GD0 (goals scored 1)
- The Coelacanths 1 point, GD-2
Briefly, Morocco are probably fine though they will aim to beat Zambia to win the group. Zambia likely requires a draw or better against Morocco. The island nation probably must to beat Mali, who should advance with a draw.
Lotta ins, lotta outs, lotta what-have-yous.
Egypt's Match with Angola Update
The denouement of Group B at this Africa Cup of Nations has coverage elsewhere. To avoid spoilers, don’t click the link.
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 |
