MX23RW : Thursday, December 12 21:10:57| >> :60:3560:3560:
[monks data]
Ipswich logo
Championship
Mar 7, 2015 at 3pm UK
 
Brentford logo

1-1

Murphy (9')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Douglas (25')

Preview: Ipswich Town vs. Brentford

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Championship game between promotion rivals Ipswich Town and Brentford.

Ipswich Town face a stern test of their promotion credentials when they hosts Brentford at Portman Road on Saturday afternoon.

A 2-0 loss to fierce rivals Norwich City last weekend was followed by a 2-1 defeat to Leeds United on Wednesday night, and the disappointing results have seen Mick McCarthy's side fall out of the top six.

Brentford have capitalised on Ipswich's form to replace them in the playoff spots and move one point ahead of the Tractor Boys in the race for promotion.

Despite having 11 games left in the campaign, McCarthy will be keen to ensure that a frustrating week does not turn into an extended slump as he looks to keep the pressure on the sides above them.

Although they currently sit seventh in the table, automatic promotion is still a realistic possibility for Ipswich, who are only six points behind Championship leaders Middlesbrough.

Mark Warburton's Brentford squad will have a similar ambition, and neither side will want to lose any ground on the top five.

Brentford warmed up for the vital game by thrashing Huddersfield Town 4-1 in midweek as Warburton continues to get the best out of the players ahead of his summer departure.

The visitors could be unchanged on their trip to Suffolk, with Chris Long looking to continue his impressive start at the club after netting a brace on his full debut.

Daryl Murphy missed a late penalty to condemn Ipswich to defeat against Leeds, but he could be back in the starting lineup alongside Freddie Sears, who came off the bench to score at Elland Road.

Doubts remain over the fitness of David McGoldrick, while recent loan signing Chris Wood could be forced to settle for a spot on the Ipswich bench.

Ipswich:

Recent form: WWLWLL

Possible starting lineup: Bialkowski, Chambers, Smith, Berra, Mings, Bru, Skuse, Tabb, Parr, Murphy, Sears

Brentford:

Recent form: LLWWLW

Possible starting lineup: Button, Tarkowski, Moore, Bidwell, Odubajo, Douglas, Diagouraga, Jota, Pritchard, Dallas, Long

Sports Mole says: 2-2


ID:209450: cacheID:209450:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4542:
Written by
Callum Mulvihill
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:
Manager of Ipswich Town Mick McCarthy looks on during the pre-season friendly match between Ipswich Town and West Ham United at Portman Road on July 16, 2014
Read Next:
Preview: Leeds vs. Ipswich
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
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!