The Sky Blues against Ipswich, Leicester against Derby, and More EFL League Updates
Greetings to the packed evening of EFL and international soccer fixtures. The spotlight falls on key second-tier clashes and those crucial final group games in the Afcon competition.
Introduction
Greetings to all. You are welcome to the reportedly the second-to-last soccer live blog of 2025. There’s a full EFL schedule, starting with Coventry v Ipswich at 6pm, and we’ll also be keeping a close watch on the two night fixtures from Group A at the Africa Cup of Nations: Morocco hosting Zambia as well as Comoros v Mali.
We'll be focussing on the following fixtures, with 7.45pm start times unless stated.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- Comoros versus The Eagles (19:00)
- Zambia v Morocco (7pm)
Championship
- The Sky Blues v The Tractor Boys (6pm)
- Leicester v Derby
- Boro versus Hull
- Millwall v The Robins
- Wrexham v North End
League One
- The Bluebirds v Stevenage
Recent Team News
Coventry v Ipswich Confirmed Lineups
The evening's opener, featuring the sides sitting top and third in the second tier, looks like an exciting match. These are the starting elevens.
Coventry (a 4-2-3-1 formation) The goalkeeper; the right-back, the centre-back, Kitching, Brau; the midfielder, the captain; Sakamoto, Rudoni, the forward; Wright.
Substitutes: The backup keeper, Allen, Simms, Kesler-Hayden, Bidwell, Latibeaudiere, Eccles, the youngster, Andrews.
Ipswich (a 4-2-3-1 setup) Walton; Furlong, the centre-half, the defender, the left-back; Matusiwa, Taylor; Walle, the playmaker, the winger; Azon.
Subs: Palmer, the defender, the midfielder, the defender, Cajuste, the winger, McAteer, the attacker, Akpom.
Referee Backhouse (Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: First Group Permutations
The situation is complex. It always is when some but not all third-placed teams qualify. This is the current state before this evening's last round of games.
- The Atlas Lions 4pts, GD+2
- The Eagles 2 points, GD0 (with 2 goals for)
- The Copper Bullets 2 points, GD0 (goals scored 1)
- Comoros 1 point, GD-2
In short, Morocco is likely safe but will want to defeat Zambia and top the group. Zambia likely requires at least a point against Morocco. Comoros probably need to beat Mali, who will probably be okay if they get a draw.
Lotta ins, lotta outs, lotta what-have-yous.
Angola v Egypt Update
The conclusion of Group B at the Africa Cup of Nations has coverage elsewhere. For those wishing to remain unaware, it's best not to seek out that information.
Second Tier Standings 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 |
