The Sky Blues against The Tractor Boys, Leicester v Derby, along with More Football League Previews
Welcome to the busy night of Football League as well as international football fixtures. The spotlight falls on important Championship encounters plus those crucial last group matches in this Africa Cup of Nations competition.
Opening Notes
Oh, hi folks. Welcome to what is arguably this penultimate football live blog of the year. We have an extensive Football League programme, kicking off with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 6pm, and we will also monitor at least a third of an eye on both night games from the first group at this Africa Cup of Nations: Morocco hosting Zambia and Comoros v Mali.
Our primary attention will be on these matches, with 7.45pm kick-offs except where noted.
Afcon 2025
- The Coelacanths v The Eagles (7pm)
- The Copper Bullets versus The Atlas Lions (7pm)
Second Division Matches
- The Sky Blues v Ipswich (6pm)
- The Foxes v The Rams
- Boro versus The Tigers
- Millwall v Bristol City
- The Red Dragons versus North End
League One
- The Bluebirds versus Boro
Latest Lineup Updates
Coventry v Ipswich Confirmed Lineups
The early game, featuring the sides sitting top and third in the Championship, could be a cracker. These are the confirmed lineups.
Coventry (a 4-2-3-1 formation) The goalkeeper; the right-back, Woolfenden, Kitching, the left-back; the midfielder, the captain; the winger, Rudoni, Mason-Clark; the striker.
Subs: Wilson, Allen, Simms, Kesler-Hayden, Bidwell, Latibeaudiere, the midfielder, the youngster, the player.
Ipswich (4-2-3-1) Walton; Furlong, the centre-half, Kipre, the left-back; Matusiwa, the midfielder; Walle, the playmaker, the winger; Azon.
Substitutes: Palmer, Young, the midfielder, the defender, the midfielder, the winger, the forward, Philogene-Bidace, the striker.
The official Anthony Backhouse (from Cumbria).
Afcon 2025: Group A Scenarios
It's a tricky picture. It always is when some but not all third-placed teams qualify. This is the current state before tonight’s last set of games.
- The Atlas Lions 4 points, GD+2
- The Eagles 2 points, GD0 (goals scored 2)
- Zambia 2pts, GD0 (with 1 goal for)
- The Coelacanths 1 point, -2 goal difference
To summarize, Morocco is likely safe though they will aim to beat their opponents to top their pool. Zambia probably need at least a point versus the hosts. The island nation probably must to overcome their rivals, who will probably be okay with a point.
A host of potential results and permutations.
Angola v Egypt Latest
The final act of Group B at the continental championship has coverage elsewhere. If you don’t want to know the score, don’t click the link.
Championship Standings 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 |
