The Sky Blues versus The Tractor Boys, The Foxes versus The Rams, and Additional EFL Action Previews

Hello to the full evening of Football League and continental soccer action. Our focus includes key Championship encounters plus the pivotal final group games in this Africa Cup of Nations competition.

Introduction

Oh, hi folks. Welcome to the checks writing desk rota this penultimate soccer clockwatch of the year. There’s an extensive Football League slate, kicking off with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 18:00, while we’ll also be keeping a close watch on the two evening games from the first group at the Africa Cup of Nations: Zambia against the hosts Morocco as well as Comoros v Mali.

Our primary attention will be on these matches, all 7.45pm start times except where noted.

Afcon 2025

• The Coelacanths versus Mali (19:00)
• Zambia v The Atlas Lions (7pm)

Championship

• Coventry v Ipswich (18:00)
• Leicester v Derby
• Boro versus The Tigers
• The Lions versus Bristol City
• The Red Dragons versus North End

League One

• Cardiff v Boro

Latest Lineup Updates

Ipswich at Coventry Confirmed Lineups

The early game, between the teams who are top and third in the second tier, looks like a cracker. These are the starting elevens.

Coventry (4-2-3-1) Rushworth; van Ewijk, the centre-back, the defender, the left-back; the midfielder, the captain; the winger, the attacking midfielder, Mason-Clark; the striker.

Subs: Wilson, the midfielder, Simms, Kesler-Hayden, Bidwell, Latibeaudiere, the midfielder, the youngster, Andrews.

Ipswich (a 4-2-3-1 setup) Walton; the defender, O’Shea, Kipre, the left-back; Matusiwa, Taylor; the attacker, the playmaker, Jack Clarke; Azon.

Subs: Palmer, Young, Johnson, the defender, the midfielder, Burns, the forward, the attacker, Akpom.

Referee Backhouse (from Cumbria).

Africa Cup of Nations: Group A Scenarios

It's a tricky picture. It always is where only some third-place sides qualify. This is the current state before this evening's final round of games.

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

In short, Morocco is likely safe but will want to defeat Zambia to win the group. Zambia likely requires a draw or better versus the hosts. Comoros likely need to beat Mali, who will probably be okay with a point.

Many possibilities, various outcomes, plenty of scenarios.

Angola v Egypt Latest

The denouement to Group B at the continental championship has coverage elsewhere. If you don’t want to know the score, it's best not to seek out that information.

Championship Table Overview