Coventry v The Tractor Boys, Leicester versus Derby, along with Additional Football Action Updates
Greetings to a packed night of Football League and continental soccer action. We'll be covering major second-tier matches and the pivotal final pool matches in the Africa Cup of Nations competition.
Opening Notes
Greetings to all. Welcome to what is checks writing desk rota this penultimate football live blog of 2025. There’s an extensive Football League programme, kicking off with Coventry v Ipswich at 6pm, and we will also monitor a close watch on the two evening fixtures from Group A at this Africa Cup of Nations: Zambia against the hosts Morocco as well as Comoros v Mali.
Our primary attention will be on the following matches, all 19:45 kick-offs except where noted.
Afcon 2025
- Comoros v Mali (19:00)
- The Copper Bullets versus Morocco (19:00)
Second Division Matches
- The Sky Blues v Ipswich (6pm)
- The Foxes versus The Rams
- Middlesbrough v The Tigers
- The Lions v The Robins
- Wrexham versus Preston
League One
- The Bluebirds v Stevenage
Latest Lineup Updates
Ipswich at Coventry Team News
The early game, between the teams who are first and third in the Championship, looks like a cracker. These are the starting elevens.
Coventry (4-2-3-1) Rushworth; van Ewijk, the centre-back, Kitching, Brau; Torp, the captain; the winger, the attacking midfielder, Mason-Clark; the striker.
Subs: The backup keeper, Allen, Simms, the defender, the full-back, Latibeaudiere, the midfielder, Perry, Andrews.
Ipswich (a 4-2-3-1 setup) Walton; Furlong, O’Shea, the defender, the left-back; Matusiwa, Taylor; the attacker, the playmaker, Jack Clarke; the centre-forward.
Substitutes: The goalkeeper, the defender, the midfielder, Humphreys, Cajuste, the winger, McAteer, the attacker, Akpom.
The official Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: Group A Permutations
The situation is complex. That's often the case where only some third-place teams qualify. This is the current state before this evening's final set of matches.
- The Atlas Lions 4 points, GD+2
- Mali 2 points, 0 goal difference (with 2 goals for)
- The Copper Bullets 2 points, 0 goal difference (goals scored 1)
- The Coelacanths 1pt, -2 goal difference
In short, Morocco are probably fine though they will aim to beat their opponents to win the group. Zambia likely requires at least a point versus Morocco. Comoros probably need to overcome Mali, who will probably be okay with a draw.
Lotta ins, lotta outs, lotta what-have-yous.
Egypt's Match with Angola Latest
The conclusion of the second group at the continental championship is being covered. To avoid spoilers, it's best not to seek out that information.
Second Tier 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 |
