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Welcome for a full evening of Football League and continental soccer fixtures. Our focus includes important second-tier clashes plus those crucial last group matches in this Africa Cup of Nations tournament.

Preamble

Greetings to all. Welcome to what is checks writing desk rota the penultimate football live blog of 2025. There’s a full EFL schedule, 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 this Afcon: Morocco hosting Zambia as well as Comoros v Mali.

Our primary attention will be on the following games, all 7.45pm start times except where noted.

Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures

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

Second Division Matches

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

Third Tier Fixture

• The Bluebirds versus Stevenage

Recent Lineup Updates

Ipswich at Coventry Team News

The evening's opener, featuring the sides sitting top and third in the second tier, could be a thriller. These are the confirmed lineups.

Coventry (a 4-2-3-1 formation) The goalkeeper; the right-back, Woolfenden, the defender, Brau; the midfielder, the captain; Sakamoto, Rudoni, the forward; Wright.

Substitutes: The backup keeper, Allen, the forward, Kesler-Hayden, the full-back, Latibeaudiere, the midfielder, Perry, the player.

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

Substitutes: The goalkeeper, Young, the midfielder, the defender, Cajuste, Burns, the forward, the attacker, Akpom.

The official Backhouse (Cumbria).

Africa Cup of Nations: First Group Scenarios

The situation is complex. It always is when some but not all third-placed sides qualify. This is the current state before this evening's final set of matches.

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

Briefly, Morocco is likely safe but will want to beat their opponents to top the group. Zambia probably need a draw or better against Morocco. The island nation probably must to overcome their rivals, who will probably be okay with a point.

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

Egypt's Match with Angola Latest

The conclusion to Group B at this continental championship is being covered. For those wishing to remain unaware, don’t click the link.

Championship Standings Overview

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