Coventry versus The Tractor Boys, Leicester v The Rams, and More Football League Previews

Greetings for the packed night of EFL and continental football fixtures. Our focus includes major Championship clashes plus those crucial final pool games in this Africa Cup of Nations tournament.

Preamble

Oh, hi folks. You are welcome to the reportedly the second-to-last soccer live blog of 2025. There’s an extensive Football League programme, kicking off with Coventry v Ipswich at 6pm, while we will also monitor at least a third of an eye on both evening games from Group A at this Afcon: Zambia against the hosts Morocco and Mali facing Comoros.

We'll be focussing on the following games, with 19:45 start times unless stated.

Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures

• The Coelacanths versus Mali (7pm)
• The Copper Bullets v The Atlas Lions (19:00)

Second Division Matches

• Coventry v Ipswich (6pm)
• The Foxes versus The Rams
• Boro versus The Tigers
• Millwall v The Robins
• Wrexham versus Preston

Third Tier Fixture

• The Bluebirds versus Boro

Latest Team News

Ipswich at Coventry Confirmed Lineups

The early game, between the teams who are top and third in the second tier, could be a cracker. These are the starting elevens.

Coventry City (a 4-2-3-1 formation) The goalkeeper; the right-back, Woolfenden, the defender, Brau; Torp, the captain; Sakamoto, the attacking midfielder, the forward; Wright.

Substitutes: Wilson, the midfielder, Simms, the defender, Bidwell, the defender, Eccles, Perry, the player.

Ipswich (a 4-2-3-1 setup) Walton; the defender, O’Shea, Kipre, Greaves; Matusiwa, Taylor; Walle, the playmaker, the winger; Azon.

Substitutes: The goalkeeper, Young, the midfielder, the defender, the midfielder, the winger, the forward, the attacker, the striker.

The official Backhouse (Cumbria).

Afcon 2025: First Group Scenarios

The situation is complex. That's often the case when some but not all third-placed teams qualify. This is the current state ahead of tonight’s final round of games.

• The Atlas Lions 4 points, +2 goal difference
• Mali 2pts, 0 goal difference (goals scored 2)
• Zambia 2pts, 0 goal difference (goals scored 1)
• Comoros 1pt, GD-2

To summarize, Morocco are probably fine though they will aim to defeat their opponents and win their pool. Zambia probably need at least a point against Morocco. Comoros likely must to beat their rivals, who should advance if they get a point.

Many possibilities, various outcomes, plenty of scenarios.

Egypt's Match with Angola Update

The denouement of Group B at this continental championship has coverage elsewhere. For those wishing to remain unaware, don’t click the link.

Second Tier Table Overview