Coventry v Ipswich, The Foxes v The Rams, and Additional EFL League Previews

Welcome to a full evening of EFL as well as international soccer action. We'll be covering important Championship encounters and those crucial final group games in the Afcon competition.

Opening Notes

Greetings to all. Welcome to what is arguably this penultimate football live blog of 2025. We have a full EFL programme, kicking off with Coventry v Ipswich at 6pm, and we will also monitor a close watch on the two evening games from Group A at this Afcon: Morocco hosting Zambia and Comoros v Mali.

We'll be focussing on the following matches, with 7.45pm start times unless stated.

Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures

• Comoros v Mali (7pm)
• The Copper Bullets v Morocco (7pm)

Second Division Matches

• The Sky Blues versus Ipswich (6pm)
• Leicester versus Derby
• Middlesbrough versus The Tigers
• The Lions v The Robins
• The Red Dragons versus Preston

League One

• The Bluebirds versus Boro

Recent Team News

Ipswich at Coventry Confirmed Lineups

The early game, featuring the sides sitting top and third in the Championship, could be a thriller. Here are the confirmed lineups.

Coventry (a 4-2-3-1 formation) Rushworth; van Ewijk, Woolfenden, the defender, the left-back; Torp, Grimes; the winger, the attacking midfielder, the forward; the striker.

Subs: The backup keeper, Allen, Simms, Kesler-Hayden, Bidwell, the defender, Eccles, the youngster, the player.

Ipswich Town (a 4-2-3-1 setup) The shot-stopper; Furlong, the centre-half, Kipre, the left-back; the midfielder, the midfielder; Walle, Nunez, the winger; the centre-forward.

Subs: The goalkeeper, Young, the midfielder, Humphreys, the midfielder, the winger, McAteer, Philogene-Bidace, the striker.

Referee Anthony Backhouse (Cumbria).

Afcon 2025: Group A Scenarios

Look, it’s complicated. It always is where only some third-placed sides qualify. This is the current state before tonight’s last set of games.

• Morocco 4pts, +2 goal difference
• Mali 2 points, 0 goal difference (goals scored 2)
• The Copper Bullets 2pts, 0 goal difference (with 1 goal for)
• Comoros 1 point, -2 goal difference

To summarize, Morocco are probably fine but will want to beat their opponents and win their pool. Zambia likely requires at least a point versus Morocco. Comoros probably need to overcome Mali, who should advance if they get a point.

A host of potential results and permutations.

Egypt's Match with Angola Latest

The conclusion to the second group at this continental championship is being covered. If you don’t want to know the score, avoid following that coverage.

Championship Standings Overview