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Hello for a packed evening of EFL and international football action. The spotlight falls on key second-tier clashes and the pivotal final group matches in the Africa Cup of Nations competition.

Preamble

Hello everyone. Welcome to the checks writing desk rota this penultimate soccer live blog of the year. There’s an extensive Football League slate, starting with Coventry v Ipswich at 6pm, and we’ll also be keeping at least a third of an eye on the two evening games from the first group at this Africa Cup of Nations: Zambia against the hosts Morocco and Mali facing Comoros.

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

Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures

• The Coelacanths v The Eagles (7pm)
• The Copper Bullets v The Atlas Lions (7pm)

Championship

• Coventry v Ipswich (6pm)
• The Foxes versus The Rams
• Boro versus The Tigers
• The Lions v Bristol City
• The Red Dragons versus North End

Third Tier Fixture

• Cardiff v Boro

Recent Lineup Updates

Coventry v Ipswich Confirmed Lineups

The early game, between the teams who are first and third in the Championship, promises to be a thriller. These are the two XIs.

Coventry (a 4-2-3-1 formation) The goalkeeper; van Ewijk, Woolfenden, the defender, the left-back; Torp, Grimes; the winger, the attacking midfielder, the forward; the striker.

Subs: Wilson, the midfielder, the forward, Kesler-Hayden, Bidwell, Latibeaudiere, the midfielder, Perry, Andrews.

Ipswich (4-2-3-1) The shot-stopper; Furlong, the centre-half, the defender, the left-back; Matusiwa, the midfielder; the attacker, Nunez, the winger; Azon.

Subs: The goalkeeper, the defender, Johnson, Humphreys, Cajuste, the winger, the forward, the attacker, Akpom.

The official Anthony Backhouse (from Cumbria).

Afcon 2025: Group A Scenarios

The situation is complex. That's often the case where only some third-placed teams progress. This is the current state ahead of this evening's final set of matches.

• The Atlas Lions 4pts, +2 goal difference
• Mali 2 points, 0 goal difference (goals scored 2)
• Zambia 2 points, 0 goal difference (goals scored 1)
• The Coelacanths 1pt, -2 goal difference

Briefly, Morocco are probably fine though they will aim to defeat their opponents to win the group. Zambia probably need a draw or better versus the hosts. Comoros likely must to overcome their rivals, who should advance with a draw.

Many possibilities, various outcomes, plenty of scenarios.

Angola v Egypt Latest

The final act to Group B at this Africa Cup of Nations has coverage elsewhere. For those wishing to remain unaware, it's best not to seek out that information.

Championship Table 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