The Sky Blues against Ipswich, The Foxes v Derby, along with More Football Action Updates
Welcome for the busy night of Football League as well as continental soccer action. We'll be covering important second-tier matches and the pivotal final group games in the Africa Cup of Nations competition.
Introduction
Oh, hi folks. You are welcome to what is arguably this second-to-last football live blog of the year. We have a full Football League slate, kicking off with Coventry v Ipswich at 18:00, and we’ll also be keeping a close watch on both night fixtures from Group A at this Afcon: Morocco hosting Zambia and Mali facing Comoros.
We'll be focussing on the following fixtures, all 7.45pm kick-offs unless stated.
Afcon 2025
- Comoros v Mali (7pm)
- The Copper Bullets versus Morocco (19:00)
Second Division Matches
- Coventry versus Ipswich (18:00)
- Leicester v Derby
- Boro v Hull
- Millwall v The Robins
- The Red Dragons v Preston
League One
- The Bluebirds versus Boro
Recent Lineup Updates
Coventry v Ipswich Confirmed Lineups
The evening's opener, between the teams who are top and third in the Championship, looks like an exciting match. Here are the confirmed lineups.
Coventry (4-2-3-1) The goalkeeper; the right-back, the centre-back, Kitching, the left-back; the midfielder, the captain; the winger, Rudoni, the forward; Wright.
Substitutes: Wilson, the midfielder, Simms, the defender, the full-back, the defender, Eccles, Perry, the player.
Ipswich Town (4-2-3-1) Walton; the defender, O’Shea, the defender, the left-back; Matusiwa, Taylor; the attacker, Nunez, the winger; Azon.
Substitutes: The goalkeeper, Young, Johnson, Humphreys, Cajuste, the winger, McAteer, the attacker, the striker.
Referee Backhouse (Cumbria).
Afcon 2025: Group A Scenarios
Look, it’s complicated. It always is where only some third-place sides progress. Here’s how things look before tonight’s final set of matches.
- The Atlas Lions 4pts, GD+2
- The Eagles 2 points, 0 goal difference (with 2 goals for)
- The Copper Bullets 2pts, 0 goal difference (goals scored 1)
- The Coelacanths 1pt, GD-2
To summarize, Morocco is likely safe but will want to defeat their opponents to top the group. Zambia likely requires a draw or better against the hosts. Comoros probably need to beat Mali, who should advance if they get a draw.
A host of potential results and permutations.
Egypt's Match with Angola Latest
The conclusion to Group B at this Africa Cup of Nations is being covered. For those wishing to remain unaware, avoid following that coverage.
Championship 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 |
