Preview: Ipswich Town vs. Plymouth Argyle - prediction, team news, lineups

Ipswich Town host Plymouth Argyle in a top-of-the-table League One clash at Portman Road on Saturday afternoon.

The home side are in third place and could move into the top two with a victory, while the visitors are seven points clear of their opponents in first place.

Match preview

© Reuters

Ipswich have emerged as real contenders to win promotion to the Championship this season, largely due to their fantastic goal return, having scored 47 in 25 games, the most of any side in the league.

Not only that, but the Tractor Boys have also managed to keep it very tight at the back, at least in home matches, conceding just nine in 12 league games at Portman Road.

Kieran McKenna's side have lost just two of their last 15 matches in the third tier, although the manager may be mildly concerned about recent form, as they have started to falter somewhat in games that they should be winning.

The East Anglian club boast the best away record in the division, but they will be disappointed with recent trips to Portsmouth and Lincoln City, drawing both games, despite the latter opponents having 10 men for much of the game.

In their last match, however, Ipswich were at their best against Championship side Rotherham United, running out resounding 4-1 winners to book their place in the FA Cup fourth round after a very dominant performance.

Plymouth have had a fantastic season so far, and they are showing no signs of slowing down in their pursuit of promotion, undefeated in their last eight games in all competitions.

In fact, the last time that the Pilgrims lost on their travels in League One was all the way back in August, when they were defeated at Charlton Athletic, so they should be full of confidence heading into Saturday's game.

Furthermore, the Argyle have already proven that they have what it takes to beat Ipswich, winning 2-1 at Home Park in a closely-contested game back in September, one of twelve home wins already this season.

Steven Schumacher's side have also started to put in some very solid defensive displays of late, keeping clean sheets in four out of their last five matches, including two in tough games against Bolton Wanderers and Wycombe Wanderers.

Not only have the Pilgrims impressed in the league, but they are now into the semi-finals of the EFL Trophy after a comprehensive 2-0 victory against Bristol Rovers in their last match, their second away win on the spin.

Team News

© Reuters

Ipswich have no fresh injury concerns, but they will continue to be without Dominic Ball and Tyreece John-Jules, who have both been ruled out since November.

Despite cruising past Rotherham last time out, McKenna is likely to revert to a team more accustomed to playing league matches, with Marcus Harness returning on the left of midfield, and Wes Burns on the opposite side.

Kayden Jackson has been the more regular starter for the Tractor Boys in recent weeks, but Freddie Ladapo should keep his place in the team, having scored his second goal in four games last time out.

Schumacher will be very frustrated that he does not have one of his key players available for the trip to East Anglia, with captain Joe Edwards missing out due to suspension, so January signing Saxon Earley could come into the side.

Striker Niall Ennis has been suffering with a hip injury lately, so Ryan Hardie is poised to lead the line, after breaking his duck by scoring his first goal in 10 games in the match against Bristol Rovers.

Ipswich Town possible starting lineup:

Walton; Donacien, Woolfenden, Burgess, Leigh; Morsy, Evans, Aluku, Jackson, Burns; Ladapo

Plymouth Argyle possible starting lineup:

Cooper; Wilson, Scarr, Lonwijk; Mumba, Houghton, Randell, Earley; Wright, Mayor, Hardie

We say: Ipswich Town 0-0 Plymouth Argyle

Plymouth drew their last League One away game 0-0 against fifth-placed Bolton Wanderers, and so a similar result should be expected on Saturday, with very little separating the two teams.

That result is likely to suit the visitors far more than the hosts, as it would maintain Argyle's seven-point lead over Ipswich, setting them up nicely for an easier game at home to Cheltenham next weekend.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.