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Hello to a busy evening of Football League as well as continental football action. Our focus includes important Championship matches plus those pivotal last group games in this Afcon competition.

Preamble

Greetings to all. You are welcome to what is arguably this penultimate soccer clockwatch of 2025. There’s an extensive Football League slate, starting with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 18:00, and we’ll also be keeping a close watch on both evening games from the first group at this Africa Cup of Nations: Morocco hosting Zambia and Mali facing Comoros.

Our primary attention will be on these fixtures, with 7.45pm kick-offs unless stated.

Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures

• Comoros versus The Eagles (7pm)
• Zambia versus Morocco (19:00)

Second Division Matches

• The Sky Blues v Ipswich (6pm)
• Leicester v The Rams
• Middlesbrough v The Tigers
• The Lions versus The Robins
• Wrexham v Preston

Third Tier Fixture

• The Bluebirds versus Boro

Recent Team News

Ipswich at Coventry Confirmed Lineups

The evening's opener, between the teams who are top and third in the Championship, promises to be a thriller. Here are the two XIs.

Coventry City (a 4-2-3-1 formation) Rushworth; van Ewijk, the centre-back, the defender, Brau; Torp, the captain; the winger, Rudoni, Mason-Clark; the striker.

Substitutes: The backup keeper, the midfielder, Simms, the defender, Bidwell, Latibeaudiere, the midfielder, Perry, Andrews.

Ipswich (a 4-2-3-1 setup) The shot-stopper; the defender, O’Shea, the defender, the left-back; Matusiwa, Taylor; the attacker, Nunez, the winger; Azon.

Subs: The goalkeeper, the defender, the midfielder, the defender, Cajuste, Burns, the forward, the attacker, the striker.

Referee Backhouse (Cumbria).

Africa Cup of Nations: First Group Permutations

The situation is complex. That's often the case when some but not all third-place teams progress. This is the current state ahead of tonight’s final set of matches.

• The Atlas Lions 4 points, GD+2
• Mali 2 points, 0 goal difference (goals scored 2)
• The Copper Bullets 2pts, GD0 (with 1 goal for)
• Comoros 1 point, GD-2

Briefly, Morocco is likely safe though they will aim to beat their opponents and top their pool. Zambia probably need at least a point against Morocco. The island nation probably need to beat their rivals, who will probably be okay if they get a draw.

Many possibilities, various outcomes, plenty of scenarios.

Egypt's Match with Angola Update

The conclusion to the second group at the Africa Cup of Nations is being covered. To avoid spoilers, 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