Coventry against Ipswich, Leicester versus The Rams, along with More EFL League Previews
Greetings for a busy evening of EFL as well as international soccer fixtures. The spotlight falls on key Championship matches and those pivotal last group matches in the Afcon tournament.
Introduction
Hello everyone. Welcome to the reportedly this penultimate football live blog of 2025. There’s an extensive EFL slate, kicking off with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 6pm, while we’ll also be keeping at least a third of an eye on both evening games from Group A at the Afcon: Zambia against the hosts Morocco as well as Mali facing Comoros.
Our primary attention will be on these matches, all 7.45pm kick-offs except where noted.
Afcon 2025
- The Coelacanths versus Mali (19:00)
- Zambia versus The Atlas Lions (19:00)
Championship
- The Sky Blues versus Ipswich (6pm)
- The Foxes v The Rams
- Boro versus The Tigers
- Millwall v The Robins
- The Red Dragons v Preston
Third Tier Fixture
- The Bluebirds versus Boro
Recent Team News
Ipswich at Coventry Confirmed Lineups
The early game, featuring the sides sitting top and third in the second tier, could be a thriller. These are the two XIs.
Coventry City (a 4-2-3-1 formation) Rushworth; the right-back, Woolfenden, the defender, Brau; the midfielder, Grimes; the winger, the attacking midfielder, Mason-Clark; Wright.
Subs: The backup keeper, the midfielder, the forward, Kesler-Hayden, Bidwell, Latibeaudiere, the midfielder, the youngster, Andrews.
Ipswich Town (4-2-3-1) The shot-stopper; Furlong, O’Shea, Kipre, the left-back; Matusiwa, Taylor; Walle, Nunez, Jack Clarke; the centre-forward.
Subs: Palmer, the defender, the midfielder, the defender, the midfielder, the winger, the forward, Philogene-Bidace, the striker.
The official Anthony Backhouse (Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: Group A Scenarios
Look, it’s complicated. That's often the case when some but not all third-placed teams progress. Here’s how things look ahead of tonight’s last set of matches.
- The Atlas Lions 4 points, GD+2
- The Eagles 2pts, 0 goal difference (goals scored 2)
- Zambia 2pts, 0 goal difference (goals scored 1)
- Comoros 1pt, GD-2
To summarize, Morocco is likely safe but will want to beat Zambia to win their pool. Zambia likely requires at least a point against Morocco. The island nation probably need to overcome their rivals, who should advance with a point.
Many possibilities, various outcomes, plenty of scenarios.
Egypt's Match with Angola Latest
The conclusion to Group B at this Africa Cup of Nations has coverage elsewhere. If you don’t want to know the score, 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 |
