The Sky Blues versus The Tractor Boys, Leicester versus Derby, and More Football Action Updates
Hello to a packed night of Football League and continental football action. Our focus includes major second-tier matches and those crucial final pool matches in the Afcon competition.
Introduction
Oh, hi folks. Welcome to what is reportedly this second-to-last football live blog of the year. There’s an extensive Football League schedule, starting with Coventry v Ipswich at 6pm, and we will also monitor at least a third of an eye on the two evening games from Group A at this Afcon: Morocco hosting Zambia as well as Mali facing Comoros.
Our primary attention will be on these matches, all 7.45pm start times except where noted.
Afcon 2025
- The Coelacanths v The Eagles (19:00)
- The Copper Bullets versus Morocco (7pm)
Championship
- The Sky Blues versus Ipswich (6pm)
- Leicester v Derby
- Boro v Hull
- Millwall versus Bristol City
- Wrexham v North End
Third Tier Fixture
- Cardiff v Stevenage
Recent Team News
Ipswich at Coventry Confirmed Lineups
The evening's opener, between the teams who are top and third in the second tier, looks like a cracker. These are the two XIs.
Coventry City (4-2-3-1) Rushworth; van Ewijk, Woolfenden, the defender, Brau; the midfielder, the captain; Sakamoto, Rudoni, Mason-Clark; Wright.
Subs: The backup keeper, Allen, Simms, the defender, the full-back, the defender, the midfielder, the youngster, the player.
Ipswich (a 4-2-3-1 setup) The shot-stopper; Furlong, the centre-half, Kipre, the left-back; Matusiwa, the midfielder; Walle, Nunez, Jack Clarke; the centre-forward.
Subs: The goalkeeper, the defender, Johnson, the defender, the midfielder, Burns, McAteer, Philogene-Bidace, the striker.
The official Anthony Backhouse (Cumbria).
Afcon 2025: Group A Scenarios
Look, it’s complicated. That's often the case when some but not all third-place teams qualify. Here’s how things look before this evening's last set of matches.
- Morocco 4pts, +2 goal difference
- The Eagles 2 points, GD0 (with 2 goals for)
- Zambia 2pts, GD0 (with 1 goal for)
- The Coelacanths 1pt, -2 goal difference
Briefly, Morocco are probably fine but will want to beat Zambia and win their pool. Zambia likely requires at least a point against Morocco. The island nation probably must to beat their rivals, who should advance if they get a point.
A host of potential results and permutations.
Angola v Egypt Latest
The conclusion to the second group at the Africa Cup of Nations has coverage elsewhere. To avoid spoilers, don’t click the link.
Championship 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 |
