The Sky Blues versus The Tractor Boys, The Foxes versus The Rams, along with More Football Action Previews

Welcome to a busy evening of Football League as well as continental football action. Our focus includes important second-tier clashes plus the pivotal final group games in this Afcon competition.

Introduction

Greetings to all. Welcome to the reportedly this penultimate football clockwatch of the year. We have a full EFL slate, kicking off with Coventry v Ipswich at 18:00, and we will also monitor a close watch on both night fixtures from Group A at the Afcon: Morocco hosting Zambia as well as Comoros v Mali.

We'll be focussing on the following fixtures, with 7.45pm start times unless stated.

Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures

• Comoros versus Mali (7pm)
• The Copper Bullets versus Morocco (19:00)

Second Division Matches

• The Sky Blues versus The Tractor Boys (18:00)
• The Foxes versus The Rams
• Boro versus The Tigers
• Millwall v Bristol City
• Wrexham versus North End

Third Tier Fixture

• Cardiff v Boro

Recent Lineup Updates

Coventry v Ipswich Confirmed Lineups

The evening's opener, featuring the sides sitting top and third in the second tier, could be a cracker. Here are the starting elevens.

Coventry City (4-2-3-1) Rushworth; the right-back, the centre-back, Kitching, the left-back; Torp, Grimes; the winger, Rudoni, Mason-Clark; the striker.

Subs: The backup keeper, the midfielder, the forward, Kesler-Hayden, Bidwell, Latibeaudiere, Eccles, Perry, Andrews.

Ipswich Town (a 4-2-3-1 setup) Walton; the defender, O’Shea, Kipre, Greaves; the midfielder, the midfielder; the attacker, the playmaker, the winger; Azon.

Substitutes: The goalkeeper, Young, Johnson, Humphreys, the midfielder, Burns, McAteer, Philogene-Bidace, Akpom.

Referee Backhouse (Cumbria).

Afcon 2025: First Group Scenarios

It's a tricky picture. It always is when some but not all third-place sides progress. This is the current state ahead of this evening's final round of games.

• Morocco 4 points, +2 goal difference
• The Eagles 2 points, 0 goal difference (with 2 goals for)
• The Copper Bullets 2 points, GD0 (goals scored 1)
• Comoros 1pt, -2 goal difference

Briefly, Morocco is likely safe though they will aim to beat Zambia and top the group. Zambia likely requires a draw or better against Morocco. Comoros probably need to beat Mali, who should advance with a point.

A host of potential results and permutations.

Angola v Egypt Latest

The final act to Group B at the continental championship is being covered. For those wishing to remain unaware, avoid following that coverage.

Second Tier Table Overview