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Welcome to the busy night of EFL as well as international soccer action. Our focus includes key Championship matches plus the pivotal last pool games in the Afcon competition.

Opening Notes

Greetings to all. You are welcome to the checks writing desk rota this penultimate soccer clockwatch of 2025. There’s an extensive EFL programme, starting with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 6pm, while we’ll also be keeping at least a third of an eye on both evening fixtures from Group A at this Africa Cup of Nations: Zambia against the hosts Morocco as well as Comoros v Mali.

Our primary attention will be on the following games, all 19:45 kick-offs unless stated.

Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures

• The Coelacanths v The Eagles (7pm)
• Zambia v Morocco (19:00)

Second Division Matches

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

Third Tier Fixture

• Cardiff v Stevenage

Latest Lineup Updates

Coventry v Ipswich Team News

The evening's opener, between the teams who are top and third in the second tier, could be a thriller. Here are the two XIs.

Coventry (4-2-3-1) Rushworth; the right-back, Woolfenden, the defender, Brau; the midfielder, Grimes; the winger, Rudoni, the forward; Wright.

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

Ipswich (4-2-3-1) Walton; Furlong, O’Shea, Kipre, the left-back; the midfielder, Taylor; Walle, the playmaker, the winger; Azon.

Substitutes: Palmer, Young, the midfielder, the defender, Cajuste, the winger, McAteer, Philogene-Bidace, the striker.

The official Backhouse (Cumbria).

Africa Cup of Nations: First Group Permutations

It's a tricky picture. That's often the case where only some third-placed teams progress. Here’s how things look before tonight’s final set of games.

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

In short, Morocco is likely safe but will want to defeat their opponents and top the group. Zambia probably need a draw or better versus the hosts. Comoros likely must to beat their rivals, who will probably be okay if they get a draw.

Many possibilities, various outcomes, plenty of scenarios.

Angola v Egypt Update

The conclusion of the second group at the continental championship is being covered. For those wishing to remain unaware, avoid following that coverage.

Second Tier 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