The Sky Blues versus The Tractor Boys, The Foxes versus Derby, and More Football League Updates

Greetings to a busy evening of EFL as well as international football action. Our focus includes important Championship clashes plus those crucial final pool matches in this Afcon tournament.

Introduction

Hello everyone. Welcome to the checks writing desk rota this second-to-last soccer clockwatch of the year. We have an extensive Football League programme, kicking off with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 18:00, while we’ll also be keeping at least a third of an eye on the two night games from the first group at the Africa Cup of Nations: Zambia against the hosts Morocco and Mali facing Comoros.

Our primary attention will be on the following games, all 19:45 kick-offs except where noted.

Afcon 2025

• Comoros v Mali (7pm)
• Zambia versus The Atlas Lions (7pm)

Championship

• The Sky Blues v The Tractor Boys (18:00)
• Leicester versus Derby
• Middlesbrough v The Tigers
• The Lions v The Robins
• The Red Dragons v Preston

League One

• Cardiff versus Stevenage

Latest Team News

Ipswich at Coventry Confirmed Lineups

The evening's opener, between the teams who are top and third in the Championship, promises to be an exciting match. These are the starting elevens.

Coventry (a 4-2-3-1 formation) The goalkeeper; van Ewijk, Woolfenden, the defender, the left-back; Torp, the captain; Sakamoto, the attacking midfielder, the forward; Wright.

Subs: Wilson, the midfielder, the forward, Kesler-Hayden, Bidwell, Latibeaudiere, the midfielder, the youngster, the player.

Ipswich (4-2-3-1) Walton; Furlong, the centre-half, the defender, the left-back; the midfielder, Taylor; the attacker, Nunez, the winger; Azon.

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

Referee Backhouse (Cumbria).

Afcon 2025: Group A Scenarios

It's a tricky picture. That's often the case where only some third-placed teams progress. This is the current state ahead of this evening's last set of matches.

• The Atlas Lions 4 points, +2 goal difference
• Mali 2pts, GD0 (goals scored 2)
• The Copper Bullets 2pts, 0 goal difference (goals scored 1)
• Comoros 1pt, GD-2

To summarize, Morocco is likely safe but will want to beat Zambia and top the group. Zambia likely requires a draw or better versus Morocco. The island nation probably need to beat their rivals, who will probably be okay if they get a point.

Many possibilities, various outcomes, plenty of scenarios.

Egypt's Match with Angola Update

The denouement of Group B at this continental championship is being covered. For those wishing to remain unaware, it's best not to seek out that information.

Championship Standings Overview