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[monks data]
Rotherham logo
Championship
Nov 7, 2015 at 3pm UK
 
Ipswich logo

2-5

Barker (56'), Derbyshire (59')
FT(HT: 0-3)
Pitman (8'), Douglas (22'), Murphy (43', 48', 72')

Preview: Rotherham United vs. Ipswich Town

Sports Mole previews the Championship clash between Rotherham United and Ipswich Town at the New York Stadium.

Rotherham United enter their Championship clash against Ipswich Town in dire need of a victory to lift them off the bottom of the table.

The Tractor Boys are looking to get their charge for promotion back on track following a poor run of form in October.


Rotherham United

Leeds caretaker manager Neil Redfearn shouts instructions during the npower Championship match between Charlton Athletic and Leeds United at the Valley on April 06, 2013© Getty Images

The Millers have endured a miserable campaign so far in the Championship this season, recording just two victories in their 15 matches.

Rotherham are currently on a six-match winless run, which has included defeats in their last three games to Sheffield Wednesday, Derby County and Middlesbrough.

Since Neil Redfearn's arrival at the beginning of October, the club have picked up just one point that came in their 1-1 draw against Reading.

As a result, United are rock-bottom of the Championship, five points adrift of safety, and Redfearn will be more than aware that his side could be in danger of being marooned in the relegation zone if they do not improve quickly.

Rotherham have struggled immensely at the back this season, conceding 28 goals - the most in the division. They have only kept two clean sheets, the last of which came in their 2-0 victory over Birmingham City in September.

The Millers have been marginally better going forward and have averaged more than a goal a game this season, although Matt Derbyshire, Tom Thorpe and Danny Collins are their leading scorers with two strikes apiece.

The club's form at home has been the worst in the Championship as the Millers have collected just five points from their seven matches at the New York Stadium this season. Redfearn and his side will know they have to earn a positive result from the clash to get their season back on track.

Recent form: LLDLLL


Ipswich Town

Manager of Ipswich Town Mick McCarthy looks on during the Sky Bet Championship match between Brentford and Ipswich Town at Griffin Park on August 8, 2015© Getty Images

The Tractor Boys had a bright start to the campaign and quickly established themselves as one of the favourites for promotion, by winning three of their opening four games.

However, Mick McCarthy's men have recorded just two victories in the Championship since the end of August, dropping the team down into mid-table.

Ipswich went on a winless run of seven matches which was finally ended during the week when they managed to defeat Bolton Wanderers 2-0 in their clash at Portman Road.

Pressure will have been building on McCarthy so the victory will have been welcomed by the 56-year-old, and now he will be determined to put a run of results together to get the club back in the promotion race.

Ipswich have been middle of the pack in terms of scoring goals and conceding, but they do have a negative goal difference, which was largely thanks to their 5-1 hammering at the hands of Reading.

Freddie Sears has been the club's top scorer this season with four strikes, but his last goal came in September, which will be concerning for McCarthy as Brett Pitman and Daryl Murphy have also struggled to hit the back of the net.

The Tractor Boys have been inconsistent on their travels this season, with their last victory coming against Leeds United in September. McCarthy and his side will see their trip to the New York Stadium as a good chance to improve their away record.

Recent form: LDLDDW


Team News

Lee Frecklington of Rotherham celebrates his goal with team mates Matt Derbyshire during the Sky Bet Championship match between Rotherham United and Reading at The New York Stadium on April 28, 2015© Getty Images

The Millers could have Derbyshire back in their lineup after the forward missed their defeats to Derby and Middlesbrough with an ankle injury.

Lee Frecklington could also come back into the fold after six weeks out with a calf injury. Joe Newell, Jordan Bowery and Chris Maguire may also push for starts following their appearances from the bench against Boro.

McCarthy only has injury concerns over two players heading into the clash as Ainsley Maitland-Niles and David McGoldrick are both struggling with injuries.

Maitland-Niles sustained a foot injury that forced him off after the first half of his side's win over Bolton, but could feature against the Millers, while McGoldrick is a bigger doubt due to a groin problem.

Jonathan Douglas will start in place of Maitland-Niles if he is unable to start against Redfearn's men on Saturday.

Rotherham possible starting lineup:
Camp; Richardson, Rawson, Collins, Toffolo; Thorpe, Frecklington, Ward, Andreu; Clarke-Harris, Derbyshire

Ipswich possible starting lineup:
Gerken; Chambers, Smith, Berra, Knudsen; Skuse, Bru, Maitland-Niles, Sears; Murphy, Pitman


Head To Head

The Millers recorded a 2-0 victory over Ipswich in their meeting at the New York Stadium last term as Derbyshire and Conor Sammon found the back of the net.

McCarthy's men secured a 2-0 win of their own earlier in the campaign when strikes from Murphy and McGoldrick were enough to seal the three points at Portman Road.

Ipswich have fared better over the course of history in this fixture by winning 13 of the matches compared to Rotherham's six triumphs, while seven of the fixtures have ended in draws.


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Rotherham 1-2 Ipswich

Both teams are in need of the victory at the New York Stadium, but Ipswich will have the quality to secure the three points from the fixture to get their push for promotion back on track, leaving Redfearn's men rooted to the bottom of the table.



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Written by
Simon Sinclair
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Leeds caretaker manager Neil Redfearn shouts instructions during the npower Championship match between Charlton Athletic and Leeds United at the Valley on April 06, 2013
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