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Hello to the packed night of EFL as well as continental soccer action. We'll be covering important second-tier clashes and the crucial last group games in this Afcon tournament.

Introduction

Hello everyone. You are welcome to what is reportedly the penultimate soccer clockwatch of the year. We have a full EFL programme, starting with Coventry v Ipswich at 18:00, while we’ll also be keeping at least a third of an eye on both night fixtures from Group A at the Afcon: Zambia against the hosts Morocco and Mali facing Comoros.

Our primary attention will be on these fixtures, with 19:45 kick-offs except where noted.

Afcon 2025

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

Championship

• The Sky Blues v Ipswich (6pm)
• The Foxes versus Derby
• Middlesbrough v Hull
• Millwall v Bristol City
• The Red Dragons versus North End

League One

• The Bluebirds v Stevenage

Latest Lineup Updates

Coventry v Ipswich Confirmed Lineups

The evening's opener, featuring the sides sitting first and third in the Championship, promises to be a cracker. These are the starting elevens.

Coventry City (a 4-2-3-1 formation) Rushworth; the right-back, the centre-back, the defender, the left-back; Torp, Grimes; the winger, the attacking midfielder, Mason-Clark; Wright.

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

Ipswich (a 4-2-3-1 setup) Walton; Furlong, O’Shea, the defender, Greaves; the midfielder, Taylor; the attacker, the playmaker, the winger; the centre-forward.

Subs: Palmer, Young, Johnson, Humphreys, the midfielder, Burns, the forward, Philogene-Bidace, Akpom.

The official Anthony Backhouse (from Cumbria).

Afcon 2025: First Group Permutations

It's a tricky picture. It always is where only some third-placed sides progress. This is the current state ahead of this evening's last set of games.

• The Atlas Lions 4pts, +2 goal difference
• Mali 2pts, GD0 (goals scored 2)
• Zambia 2 points, GD0 (goals scored 1)
• Comoros 1pt, -2 goal difference

To summarize, Morocco is likely safe but will want to defeat their opponents to top the group. Zambia probably need at least a point versus Morocco. The island nation likely need to overcome their rivals, who should advance if they get a draw.

Lotta ins, lotta outs, lotta what-have-yous.

Angola v Egypt Latest

The conclusion of Group B at the continental championship is being covered. To avoid spoilers, it's best not to seek out that information.

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