Coventry versus Ipswich, Leicester against The Rams, and More EFL League Updates
Welcome to the busy night of EFL and international soccer action. Our focus includes major Championship encounters plus those crucial last group games in the Afcon competition.
Opening Notes
Hello everyone. You are welcome to what is arguably the second-to-last football live blog of 2025. We have a full EFL slate, starting with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 6pm, and we’ll also be keeping at least a third of an eye on the two evening games from Group A at the Africa Cup of Nations: Morocco hosting Zambia 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
- The Coelacanths versus Mali (7pm)
- The Copper Bullets versus The Atlas Lions (7pm)
Second Division Matches
- Coventry versus Ipswich (6pm)
- Leicester v The Rams
- Middlesbrough versus Hull
- Millwall versus Bristol City
- Wrexham versus Preston
League One
- Cardiff v Boro
Recent Lineup Updates
Ipswich at Coventry Team News
The evening's opener, featuring the sides sitting top and third in the Championship, looks like a thriller. These are the confirmed lineups.
Coventry (a 4-2-3-1 formation) The goalkeeper; the right-back, the centre-back, the defender, Brau; the midfielder, the captain; Sakamoto, Rudoni, the forward; Wright.
Subs: Wilson, Allen, the forward, Kesler-Hayden, the full-back, the defender, Eccles, Perry, Andrews.
Ipswich Town (a 4-2-3-1 setup) The shot-stopper; Furlong, O’Shea, Kipre, Greaves; Matusiwa, the midfielder; Walle, the playmaker, the winger; Azon.
Subs: The goalkeeper, the defender, Johnson, the defender, the midfielder, Burns, the forward, Philogene-Bidace, the striker.
Referee Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Afcon 2025: First Group Permutations
The situation is complex. That's often the case when some but not all third-place sides progress. This is the current state before this evening's last round of matches.
- Morocco 4 points, +2 goal difference
- Mali 2pts, 0 goal difference (goals scored 2)
- The Copper Bullets 2pts, 0 goal difference (with 1 goal for)
- Comoros 1pt, -2 goal difference
To summarize, Morocco are probably fine though they will aim to defeat their opponents and win the group. Zambia probably need a draw or better against the hosts. The island nation probably must to overcome Mali, who will probably be okay if they get a draw.
A host of potential results and permutations.
Angola v Egypt Update
The conclusion to Group B at this continental championship is being covered. To avoid spoilers, avoid following that coverage.
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 |