Coventry v Ipswich, Leicester versus Derby, along with More Football League Previews
Hello for a busy night of Football League and international soccer fixtures. We'll be covering key Championship clashes and those crucial last pool matches in this Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
Introduction
Greetings to all. Welcome to the arguably this second-to-last football live blog of 2025. We have a full Football League schedule, starting with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 18:00, while we will also monitor at least a third of an eye on the two night games from Group A at this Africa Cup of Nations: Zambia against the hosts Morocco as well as Comoros v Mali.
We'll be focussing on the following fixtures, with 19:45 start times except where noted.
Afcon 2025
- The Coelacanths versus The Eagles (7pm)
- Zambia v Morocco (7pm)
Second Division Matches
- Coventry v The Tractor Boys (6pm)
- Leicester v Derby
- Boro v The Tigers
- The Lions v Bristol City
- The Red Dragons versus North End
League One
- The Bluebirds versus Boro
Recent Team News
Coventry v Ipswich Team News
The early game, featuring the sides sitting top and third in the Championship, promises to be a cracker. Here are the confirmed lineups.
Coventry (4-2-3-1) The goalkeeper; van Ewijk, the centre-back, Kitching, the left-back; Torp, the captain; the winger, Rudoni, the forward; Wright.
Substitutes: The backup keeper, Allen, the forward, Kesler-Hayden, Bidwell, Latibeaudiere, Eccles, Perry, the player.
Ipswich (a 4-2-3-1 setup) The shot-stopper; the defender, the centre-half, Kipre, the left-back; Matusiwa, Taylor; the attacker, Nunez, Jack Clarke; Azon.
Subs: Palmer, Young, the midfielder, Humphreys, Cajuste, Burns, McAteer, the attacker, the striker.
The official Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Afcon 2025: Group A Permutations
The situation is complex. That's often the case where only some third-placed sides qualify. Here’s how things look ahead of tonight’s final round of games.
- Morocco 4 points, +2 goal difference
- Mali 2 points, 0 goal difference (goals scored 2)
- The Copper Bullets 2pts, 0 goal difference (with 1 goal for)
- Comoros 1 point, GD-2
In short, Morocco is likely safe but will want to beat Zambia to win their pool. Zambia probably need a draw or better against Morocco. The island nation likely must to overcome Mali, who will probably be okay with a point.
A host of potential results and permutations.
Egypt's Match with Angola Update
The denouement of Group B at this continental championship is being covered. For those wishing to remain unaware, it's best not to seek out that information.
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 |
