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Hello to the packed night of EFL as well as continental soccer fixtures. The spotlight falls on important second-tier matches and those crucial last group games in this Afcon tournament.

Preamble

Hello everyone. You are welcome to what is arguably this second-to-last football live blog of 2025. We have an extensive EFL programme, kicking off with Coventry v Ipswich at 18:00, and we’ll also be keeping a close watch on both night fixtures from the first group at the Africa Cup of Nations: Zambia against the hosts Morocco as well as Mali facing Comoros.

We'll be focussing on these fixtures, all 7.45pm start times unless stated.

Afcon 2025

• The Coelacanths versus The Eagles (19:00)
• The Copper Bullets versus Morocco (7pm)

Championship

• Coventry v Ipswich (6pm)
• The Foxes versus Derby
• Middlesbrough versus The Tigers
• Millwall versus Bristol City
• Wrexham v North End

Third Tier Fixture

• The Bluebirds v Stevenage

Recent Lineup Updates

Coventry v Ipswich Confirmed Lineups

The evening's opener, between the teams who are top and third in the second tier, promises to be a cracker. Here are the confirmed lineups.

Coventry City (a 4-2-3-1 formation) The goalkeeper; the right-back, Woolfenden, Kitching, Brau; the midfielder, the captain; the winger, Rudoni, Mason-Clark; the striker.

Subs: The backup keeper, the midfielder, the forward, the defender, the full-back, the defender, the midfielder, Perry, the player.

Ipswich Town (4-2-3-1) The shot-stopper; the defender, the centre-half, Kipre, the left-back; the midfielder, the midfielder; Walle, Nunez, Jack Clarke; Azon.

Subs: The goalkeeper, Young, Johnson, Humphreys, the midfielder, Burns, the forward, the attacker, Akpom.

Referee Anthony Backhouse (from Cumbria).

Africa Cup of Nations: Group A Permutations

The situation is complex. That's often the case when some but not all third-placed sides progress. Here’s how things look before this evening's final round of games.

• Morocco 4 points, GD+2
• The Eagles 2pts, 0 goal difference (with 2 goals for)
• Zambia 2 points, GD0 (goals scored 1)
• The Coelacanths 1pt, -2 goal difference

Briefly, Morocco is likely safe but will want to beat Zambia and win the group. Zambia probably need a draw or better against Morocco. The island nation probably need to beat their rivals, who should advance with a draw.

Many possibilities, various outcomes, plenty of scenarios.

Angola v Egypt Update

The conclusion to the second group at this continental championship is being covered. If you don’t want to know the score, avoid following that coverage.

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