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Greetings for a full evening of EFL as well as continental football fixtures. We'll be covering major second-tier matches and those pivotal final pool matches in the Africa Cup of Nations tournament.

Introduction

Oh, hi folks. You are welcome to the checks writing desk rota the penultimate soccer clockwatch of the year. We have a full EFL schedule, kicking off with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 18:00, and we will also monitor at least a third of an eye on the two night fixtures from the first group at this Afcon: Zambia against the hosts Morocco and Comoros v Mali.

We'll be focussing on the following games, all 19:45 start times unless stated.

Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures

• The Coelacanths versus Mali (19:00)
• The Copper Bullets versus The Atlas Lions (7pm)

Second Division Matches

• The Sky Blues v The Tractor Boys (6pm)
• The Foxes versus Derby
• Middlesbrough v Hull
• The Lions versus Bristol City
• Wrexham versus North End

League One

• The Bluebirds versus Boro

Latest Lineup Updates

Ipswich at Coventry Confirmed Lineups

The evening's opener, between the teams who are first and third in the second tier, could be an exciting match. These are the confirmed lineups.

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

Subs: Wilson, Allen, the forward, the defender, the full-back, Latibeaudiere, Eccles, Perry, Andrews.

Ipswich (a 4-2-3-1 setup) Walton; the defender, O’Shea, Kipre, the left-back; the midfielder, the midfielder; Walle, Nunez, the winger; Azon.

Substitutes: The goalkeeper, Young, Johnson, Humphreys, the midfielder, the winger, the forward, Philogene-Bidace, Akpom.

Referee Anthony Backhouse (from Cumbria).

Afcon 2025: Group A Permutations

It's a tricky picture. It always is where only some third-place sides qualify. Here’s how things look ahead of tonight’s final round of matches.

• Morocco 4pts, GD+2
• Mali 2 points, 0 goal difference (goals scored 2)
• Zambia 2 points, GD0 (with 1 goal for)
• Comoros 1 point, -2 goal difference

Briefly, Morocco is likely safe but will want to beat Zambia and top their pool. Zambia probably need a draw or better versus the hosts. The island nation likely need to beat Mali, who will probably be okay if they get a point.

Many possibilities, various outcomes, plenty of scenarios.

Egypt's Match with Angola Latest

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

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