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Hello to a packed evening of Football League and international soccer action. Our focus includes major Championship clashes plus the crucial final pool matches in the Afcon competition.

Introduction

Oh, hi folks. You are welcome to what is checks writing desk rota this penultimate soccer clockwatch of the year. We have an extensive EFL schedule, starting with Coventry v Ipswich at 18:00, and we’ll also be keeping at least a third of an eye on the two evening games from Group A at this Africa Cup of Nations: Zambia against the hosts Morocco as well as Comoros v Mali.

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

Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures

• Comoros v The Eagles (19:00)
• The Copper Bullets v Morocco (19:00)

Second Division Matches

• Coventry v The Tractor Boys (18:00)
• The Foxes versus Derby
• Middlesbrough versus Hull
• Millwall v The Robins
• The Red Dragons versus Preston

League One

• Cardiff versus Stevenage

Recent Lineup Updates

Coventry v Ipswich Confirmed Lineups

The early game, between the teams who are first and third in the Championship, could be a thriller. Here are the two XIs.

Coventry (4-2-3-1) The goalkeeper; the right-back, the centre-back, Kitching, the left-back; the midfielder, Grimes; Sakamoto, Rudoni, Mason-Clark; the striker.

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

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

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

Referee Anthony Backhouse (Cumbria).

Africa Cup of Nations: First Group Permutations

The situation is complex. That's often the case where only some third-placed sides qualify. Here’s how things look before this evening's final set of games.

• The Atlas Lions 4pts, +2 goal difference
• Mali 2 points, GD0 (with 2 goals for)
• Zambia 2pts, GD0 (with 1 goal for)
• The Coelacanths 1pt, GD-2

In short, Morocco are probably fine though they will aim to beat Zambia and win their pool. Zambia likely requires a draw or better against Morocco. The island nation likely need to beat Mali, who should advance if they get a point.

Many possibilities, various outcomes, plenty of scenarios.

Egypt's Match with Angola Latest

The denouement of the second group at the continental championship has coverage elsewhere. For those wishing to remain unaware, avoid following that coverage.

Second Tier Table 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