The Sky Blues against Ipswich, The Foxes against The Rams, and More EFL Action Updates
Welcome to the packed night of EFL and international soccer action. We'll be covering major second-tier matches plus those pivotal final pool games in this Africa Cup of Nations competition.
Opening Notes
Hello everyone. Welcome to what is reportedly this penultimate soccer live blog of 2025. There’s an extensive EFL slate, 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 both night games from the first group at this Africa Cup of Nations: Zambia against the hosts Morocco as well as Mali facing Comoros.
We'll be focussing on these fixtures, with 7.45pm start times unless stated.
Afcon 2025
- Comoros v The Eagles (19:00)
- The Copper Bullets versus Morocco (7pm)
Championship
- The Sky Blues versus Ipswich (6pm)
- Leicester versus The Rams
- Boro v The Tigers
- Millwall versus The Robins
- The Red Dragons v North End
League One
- The Bluebirds v Boro
Recent Team News
Ipswich at Coventry Team News
The evening's opener, between the teams who are top and third in the Championship, promises to be a cracker. Here are the confirmed lineups.
Coventry (a 4-2-3-1 formation) Rushworth; the right-back, the centre-back, Kitching, the left-back; the midfielder, Grimes; Sakamoto, Rudoni, Mason-Clark; the striker.
Subs: The backup keeper, Allen, the forward, Kesler-Hayden, the full-back, Latibeaudiere, Eccles, Perry, the player.
Ipswich (4-2-3-1) Walton; the defender, the centre-half, Kipre, Greaves; Matusiwa, the midfielder; the attacker, the playmaker, Jack Clarke; Azon.
Subs: Palmer, the defender, the midfielder, Humphreys, the midfielder, Burns, McAteer, the attacker, the striker.
The official Anthony Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: Group A Permutations
Look, it’s complicated. That's often the case where only some third-place teams progress. Here’s how things look before this evening's final set of games.
- Morocco 4 points, GD+2
- The Eagles 2pts, GD0 (goals scored 2)
- Zambia 2pts, 0 goal difference (with 1 goal for)
- Comoros 1 point, GD-2
In short, Morocco are probably fine but will want to beat Zambia and win the group. Zambia probably need a draw or better versus Morocco. Comoros probably must to beat Mali, who should advance with a draw.
Many possibilities, various outcomes, plenty of scenarios.
Angola v Egypt Latest
The denouement of Group B at this continental championship has coverage elsewhere. If you don’t want to know the score, don’t click the link.
Second Tier Standings 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 |