The Sky Blues v The Tractor Boys, Leicester versus The Rams, and More Football Action Updates
Hello to the packed evening of Football League as well as continental soccer fixtures. The spotlight falls on key Championship clashes plus the pivotal final group matches in this Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
Preamble
Hello everyone. Welcome to the checks writing desk rota this penultimate football live blog of 2025. There’s an extensive Football League programme, starting with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 18:00, and we’ll also be keeping a close watch on both night games from the first group at the Afcon: Morocco hosting Zambia as well as Mali facing Comoros.
We'll be focussing on these fixtures, all 19:45 start times unless stated.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- Comoros v Mali (7pm)
- Zambia v Morocco (7pm)
Second Division Matches
- The Sky Blues versus The Tractor Boys (6pm)
- The Foxes v The Rams
- Boro v Hull
- Millwall v Bristol City
- Wrexham versus North End
League One
- The Bluebirds v Boro
Recent Lineup Updates
Coventry v Ipswich Team News
The early game, between the teams who are first and third in the second tier, looks like an exciting match. These are the two XIs.
Coventry City (4-2-3-1) The goalkeeper; van Ewijk, Woolfenden, the defender, Brau; the midfielder, the captain; the winger, Rudoni, Mason-Clark; Wright.
Subs: Wilson, the midfielder, Simms, the defender, Bidwell, the defender, Eccles, Perry, the player.
Ipswich Town (a 4-2-3-1 setup) The shot-stopper; the defender, O’Shea, Kipre, the left-back; Matusiwa, the midfielder; the attacker, Nunez, the winger; Azon.
Substitutes: Palmer, Young, the midfielder, the defender, Cajuste, Burns, McAteer, Philogene-Bidace, Akpom.
Referee Backhouse (Cumbria).
Afcon 2025: First Group Scenarios
It's a tricky picture. It always is where only some third-place teams progress. This is the current state before tonight’s final round of matches.
- Morocco 4 points, GD+2
- Mali 2pts, GD0 (goals scored 2)
- Zambia 2pts, 0 goal difference (goals scored 1)
- Comoros 1 point, GD-2
To summarize, Morocco is likely safe but will want to beat Zambia to top their pool. Zambia likely requires a draw or better against Morocco. Comoros likely must to beat Mali, who should advance with a draw.
A host of potential results and permutations.
Egypt's Match with Angola Update
The denouement of the second group at this Africa Cup of Nations is being covered. To avoid spoilers, it's best not to seek out that information.
Second Tier 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 |
