At a time when the Tractor Boys are clinging onto second place in the Championship standings, the home side have recently dropped down to 12th position.

Match preview

Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna on December 12, 2023 © Reuters

Even with Ipswich's form dropping off of late, Kieran McKenna would have been content with the development of his team ahead of last weekend's FA Cup tie at home to Maidstone United.

However, there will now be concerns over whether the Tractor Boys can last the pace in the Championship after they succumbed to a 2-1 defeat at home to the National League South side, marking one of the biggest surprises in the FA Cup in recent memory.

Fortune was on Maidstone's side, with Ipswich scoring just one of 38 attempts on goal, yet McKenna's team have now won just two of their last nine fixtures in all competitions.

As a result of just one victory in seven Championship outings, Ipswich sit just two points above fourth-placed Leeds United, who can move ahead of them with a win at Bristol City on Friday night.

McKenna will want his players to focus on their own performances, particularly when they have not posted an away success in the second tier since December 12.

Meanwhile, Preston have work to do if they want to ensure that they have something to play for during the remaining 17 games of the season.

Prevailing in just four of their last 15 Championship fixtures have left Ryan Lowe's side down in 12th position, five points adrift of the top six.

Three of the four wins in question have come at Deepdale, however, with Preston having accumulated 23 points from 14 games at their North West home.

Last time out, Preston earned a 1-1 draw at Millwall, making it seven points from six league games, and Lowe is aware that things must improve if he wants to remain secure in the dugout as the campaign progresses.

Preston North End Championship form:

Preston North End form (all competitions):

Ipswich Town Championship form:

Ipswich Town form (all competitions):

Team News

Preston North End Manager Ryan Lowe on December 26, 2023 © Reuters

Barring any further injury issues, Lowe may be prepared to select the same Preston side that started at Millwall.

If a change is made, Robbie Brady could be restored on the left flank or Alan Browne may come back into the midfield.

Having rung the changes for the Maidstone match, McKenna will revert back to a team close to the one that started the 1-1 draw at Leicester.

However, Sam Morsy will feature in the Ipswich midfield after serving a two-game ban and Jeremy Sarmiento could be included in the final third after scoring in successive appearances.

Any further new signings are likely to find themselves among the replacements.

Preston North End possible starting lineup:
Woodman; Storey, Lindsay, Hughes; Potts, Frokjaer-Jensen, Whiteman, Ledson, Millar; Riis, Keane

Ipswich Town possible starting lineup:
Hladky; Clarke, Woolfenden, Edmundson, Davis; Morsy, Luongo; Burns, Chaplin, Sarmiento; Jackson

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We say: Preston North End 1-2 Ipswich Town

With Ipswich vulnerable right now, Preston are aware that they have an opportunity to seize a way back into the playoff race. However, with Ipswich having been much-changed last weekend, do not be surprised if they respond with a hard-earned victory.

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