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Hello to a busy night of EFL and continental soccer fixtures. The spotlight falls on important Championship matches plus the crucial final pool games in this Afcon competition.

Introduction

Oh, hi folks. Welcome to what is checks writing desk rota this penultimate soccer clockwatch of the year. There’s an extensive EFL programme, starting with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 6pm, while we will also monitor at least a third of an eye on both evening games from Group A at the Africa Cup of Nations: Zambia against the hosts Morocco and Comoros v Mali.

We'll be focussing on the following fixtures, all 19:45 kick-offs except where noted.

Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures

• The Coelacanths versus The Eagles (19:00)
• Zambia versus The Atlas Lions (19:00)

Championship

• The Sky Blues v Ipswich (6pm)
• The Foxes v Derby
• Middlesbrough v Hull
• The Lions versus Bristol City
• The Red Dragons versus Preston

Third Tier Fixture

• The Bluebirds versus Stevenage

Recent Lineup Updates

Coventry v Ipswich Team News

The early game, between the teams who are first and third in the second tier, could be a thriller. Here are the confirmed lineups.

Coventry (4-2-3-1) The goalkeeper; the right-back, the centre-back, the defender, the left-back; Torp, the captain; the winger, the attacking midfielder, the forward; Wright.

Subs: Wilson, the midfielder, the forward, Kesler-Hayden, the full-back, Latibeaudiere, the midfielder, Perry, the player.

Ipswich (4-2-3-1) The shot-stopper; the defender, the centre-half, the defender, Greaves; the midfielder, Taylor; Walle, the playmaker, the winger; Azon.

Subs: Palmer, the defender, Johnson, Humphreys, Cajuste, the winger, McAteer, Philogene-Bidace, the striker.

Referee Backhouse (Cumbria).

Afcon 2025: Group A Scenarios

It's a tricky picture. It always is when some but not all third-place sides qualify. Here’s how things look ahead of tonight’s last round of games.

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

In short, Morocco are probably fine but will want to beat Zambia and top the group. Zambia probably need at least a point versus the hosts. Comoros likely must to overcome their rivals, who will probably be okay with a point.

A host of potential results and permutations.

Egypt's Match with Angola Update

The final act to Group B at the continental championship has coverage elsewhere. For those wishing to remain unaware, 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