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

Hello for the full evening of EFL as well as continental football action. The spotlight falls on key second-tier encounters plus the pivotal last pool matches in this Afcon tournament.

Preamble

Greetings to all. You are welcome to what is arguably the second-to-last soccer live blog of 2025. There’s a full Football League programme, kicking off with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 18:00, while we’ll also be keeping a close watch on both night games from Group A at the Afcon: Zambia against the hosts Morocco and Comoros v Mali.

Our primary attention will be on these games, with 19:45 start times except where noted.

Afcon 2025

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

Championship

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

League One

• Cardiff versus Stevenage

Latest Lineup Updates

Coventry v Ipswich Confirmed Lineups

The evening's opener, between the teams who are first and third in the Championship, looks like a cracker. These are the confirmed lineups.

Coventry City (a 4-2-3-1 formation) The goalkeeper; van Ewijk, the centre-back, Kitching, the left-back; Torp, the captain; the winger, Rudoni, the forward; Wright.

Substitutes: The backup keeper, the midfielder, the forward, Kesler-Hayden, the full-back, the defender, the midfielder, Perry, Andrews.

Ipswich (a 4-2-3-1 setup) The shot-stopper; Furlong, the centre-half, the defender, Greaves; the midfielder, Taylor; Walle, the playmaker, the winger; the centre-forward.

Substitutes: The goalkeeper, the defender, the midfielder, Humphreys, Cajuste, Burns, McAteer, the attacker, the striker.

The official Anthony Backhouse (Cumbria).

Afcon 2025: Group A Scenarios

The situation is complex. It always is where only some third-place sides progress. This is the current state ahead of this evening's final round of matches.

• The Atlas Lions 4pts, GD+2
• The Eagles 2 points, GD0 (with 2 goals for)
• Zambia 2pts, 0 goal difference (goals scored 1)
• Comoros 1pt, GD-2

In short, Morocco are probably fine but will want to beat Zambia and top the group. Zambia probably need a draw or better versus Morocco. The island nation probably must to beat their rivals, who should advance if they get a draw.

Many possibilities, various outcomes, plenty of scenarios.

Egypt's Match with Angola Update

The final act to Group B at this Africa Cup of Nations is being covered. To avoid spoilers, don’t click the link.

Second Tier Standings Overview