MX23RW : Friday, December 13 07:34:41| >> :60:2210:2210:
[monks data]
Ipswich logo
Championship
Oct 18, 2014 at 3pm UK
 
Blackburn logo

1-1

FT(HT: 0-0)
Marshall (93')

Preview: Ipswich Town vs. Blackburn Rovers

Sports Mole looks ahead to Saturday's Championship clash between in-form Ipswich Town and Blackburn Rovers at Portman Road.

Ipswich Town will be looking to continue their fine recent form when they host Blackburn Rovers at Portman Road on Saturday.

The Tractor Boys could go top of the table with a victory having climbed into the playoff places, just two points off the summit as things stand.

It could have been even better for them too, but for a late equaliser robbing them of becoming the first side to beat Nottingham Forest in the league this season.

Even so, that result made it seven games without defeat for Mick McCarthy's men, and the manager was rewarded for that form by being voted Manager of the Month for September.

McCarthy will be delighted with how his side have bounced back from a disappointing derby defeat to Norwich City in August, particularly at home where they have won their last three matches without conceding.

In-form Daryl Murphy has taken some of the goalscoring mantle off David McGoldrick so far this season, and they are once again expected to lead the line this weekend.

However, Jonathan Williams could be forced to miss out having withdrawn from international duty recently, while the match is also likely to come too soon for Jack Collison to make his debut.

Blackburn went into the season expecting to do battle with the likes of Ipswich for a place in the playoffs, but so far they have not been able to string a run of good results together.

The same sort of inconsistency that cost them a top-six push last season has dogged them again so far this time around, with four wins, four defeats and three draws in their 11 matches.

Just one of those victories has come in their last five outings, while they have failed to even score in their last two matches in the league.

Rudy Gestede is expected to return to help improve their fortunes in front of goal, however, and he and Jordan Rhodes are likely to lead the line this weekend.

Gary Bowyer will be eager for his side to improve their away form, which has seen them lose three of their last four games on the road by a two-goal margin.

Recent form

Ipswich: DDWWWW

Blackburn: DLDWLW

Possible starting lineups

Ipswich: Gerken; Mings, Berra, Chambers, Parr; Bishop, Skuse, Hyam; McGoldrick, Murphy, Sammon

Blackburn: Steele; Baptiste, Hanley, Duffy, Olsson; Conway, Evans, Cairney, Marshall; Gestede, Rhodes

Sports Mole says: 2-1


ID:182881: cacheID:182881:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5609:
Written by
Barney Corkhill
No Data Analysis info

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
Ipswich manager Mick McCarthy looks on during his team's Championship match against Millwall on January 18, 2014
Read Next:
Williams earns Ipswich draw
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
1.15am
Rams
@
49ers
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool14112129111835
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1585229151429
4Manchester CityMan City158342721627
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest157441918125
6Aston Villa157442323025
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Brentford157263128323
10Fulham156542220223
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle155551921-220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton143561421-714
16Leicester CityLeicester153572130-914
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich151681427-139
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1523102338-159
20Southampton1512121131-205


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!