The Sky Blues against The Tractor Boys, The Foxes versus The Rams, along with More EFL Action Previews

Hello for a packed evening of Football League as well as continental football fixtures. We'll be covering important Championship matches plus the pivotal last pool matches in the Africa Cup of Nations competition.

Introduction

Hello everyone. You are welcome to what is checks writing desk rota the penultimate football live blog of 2025. There’s a full Football League programme, kicking off with Coventry v Ipswich at 18:00, while we will also monitor a close watch on both evening fixtures from the first group at this Afcon: Zambia against the hosts Morocco as well as Mali facing Comoros.

Our primary attention will be on the following fixtures, with 7.45pm kick-offs except where noted.

Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures

  • Comoros v The Eagles (19:00)
  • Zambia versus The Atlas Lions (19:00)

Second Division Matches

  • The Sky Blues versus Ipswich (18:00)
  • Leicester v Derby
  • Boro v Hull
  • Millwall v Bristol City
  • Wrexham versus North End

Third Tier Fixture

  • The Bluebirds v Boro

Latest Team News

Ipswich at Coventry Team News

The evening's opener, between the teams who are first and third in the Championship, could be a cracker. Here are the two XIs.

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

Substitutes: Wilson, the midfielder, Simms, Kesler-Hayden, Bidwell, Latibeaudiere, the midfielder, Perry, Andrews.

Ipswich Town (a 4-2-3-1 setup) The shot-stopper; the defender, O’Shea, the defender, the left-back; Matusiwa, the midfielder; Walle, the playmaker, Jack Clarke; the centre-forward.

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

Referee Anthony Backhouse (from Cumbria).

Afcon 2025: Group A Permutations

Look, it’s complicated. That's often the case where only some third-placed sides progress. This is the current state ahead of tonight’s final round of matches.

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

To summarize, Morocco is likely safe but will want to beat Zambia to win their pool. Zambia likely requires a draw or better versus Morocco. Comoros probably must to overcome Mali, who will probably be okay with a point.

A host of potential results and permutations.

Egypt's Match with Angola Latest

The conclusion of the second group at the continental championship is being covered. To avoid spoilers, don’t click the link.

Second Tier Table Overview

Pos Team P GD Pts
1Coventry233151
2Middlesbrough23943
3Ipswich231538
4Hull23238
5Preston North End23737
6Bristol City23736
7Millwall23-636
8Watford23435
9QPR23-235
10Stoke23734
11Derby23132
12Southampton23431
13Wrexham23231
14Leicester23-131
15Birmingham23130
16West Brom23-528
17Charlton22-627
18Blackburn22-426
19Sheff Utd23-526
20Swansea23-726
21Oxford Utd23-822
22Portsmouth22-1022
23Norwich23-921
24Sheff Wed22-27-8
Michelle Beard
Michelle Beard

A seasoned automotive journalist with a passion for classic cars and modern innovations, sharing insights and stories from the road.