Ipswich Town manager Mick McCarthy welcomes his former club Wolverhampton Wanderers to Portman Road on Saturday afternoon looking to extend his side's recent unbeaten streak to five matches.
Wolves make the long trip to East Anglia having picked up just four points from six games, and head coach Kenny Jackett cannot afford a fifth setback in just seven games.
Ipswich Town
© Getty Images
After collecting 13 points from their opening seven games, Ipswich would have been relatively optimistic of maintaining that form heading into the second and third months of the campaign, but failure to win in their following seven fixtures saw the club fall into the mid-table positions.
However, before the international break the Tractor Boys recorded two morale-boosting victories over Bolton Wanderers and Rotherham United respectively, and with their current unbeaten run now standing at four games, McCarthy and his squad can head into this weekend's fixture full of confidence.
One player who will return to domestic action fully rejuvenated is striker Daryl Murphy. Last season, the 32-year-old netted 27 goals in all competitions as he helped guide the club to the playoffs, but it has been a different story this time around, with Murphy failing to score in his first 14 games.
Against Rotherham, though, his fortunes changed for the better, with his 29-minute hat-trick proving decisive in the 5-2 triumph in Yorkshire, before he featured in both legs of Republic of Ireland's Euro 2016 playoff success against Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Despite Murphy only hitting the goal trail two weeks ago, Ipswich are the joint-fifth highest scorers in the Championship, and if the defence can continue their recent improvements, McCarthy's men could soon make up the four-point deficit that separates them from the playoffs.
Recent form: DLDDWW
Wolverhampton Wanderers
© Getty Images
During the course of the past month, Jackett has come under scrutiny for the first time since his arrival at Wolves in 2013, with his side winning just once in half-a-dozen outings.
The positive results that they have achieved have been impressive, with the 2-0 win away at Birmingham City being followed by a goalless draw at home to in-form Burnley a week later, but the other four performances have left a lot to be desired and Jackett is aware that improvements must be made.
The introduction of Mike Williamson on loan from Newcastle United has aided a defence that had conceded nine goals in three games before his arrival, but there remain issues with an attack which has lacked a cutting edge for large periods of the campaign.
Star striker Benik Afobe has just three goals from open play in his last 14 games, two of which came in the same match, with midfielder Dave Edwards scoring two of the team's three goals that have come in their last five matches.
The fact that Wolves scored eight times in three fixtures before that run should not be ignored, but their quality is only shining through in fits and starts and that is not enough for the club to sustain the promotion challenge that was expected before the start of the season.
Wolves sit nine points off the playoffs, although it is still relatively early days with 30 matches still to be played. However, the Molineux outfit need to take advantage of the set of fixtures ahead, with their next five opponents no higher than 10th place.
Recent form: LLLWLD
Team News
© Getty Images
Jackett has revealed that on-loan goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez is still suffering from a quadriceps problem, meaning that he will be absent from the squad for Saturday's game.
Ethan Ebanks-Landell continues to recover from a foot injury, while defensive teammate Kortney Hause is also missing.
Winger Rajiv va La Parra may return to the bench after a loan move to Bolton Wanderers broke down.
As for Ipswich, Murphy is expected to shake off a calf problem picked up on international duty, while David McGoldrick is closing in on a return.
Ipswich Town possible starting lineup:
Gerken, Chambers, Smith, Berra, Knudsen, Bru, Skuse, Douglas, Sears, Murphy, Pitman
Wolverhampton Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Ikeme, Iorfa, Batth, Williamson, Golbourne, McDonald, Price, Henry, Edwards, Ojo, Afobe
Head To Head
In 77 previous meetings between the two sides, Ipswich hold a slender lead in the head-to-head record, winning 29 matches compared to 27 for Wolves.
As far as the past decade is concerned, however, Wolves have performed better, winning six and drawing four of 13 fixtures.
Ipswich are unbeaten in the last three contests, though, with Wolves' last triumph over the Tractor Boys coming in September 2012.
We say: Ipswich Town 2-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Jackett was encouraged by his side's resilience at the back in their last outing against Burnley, but they may find a rejuvenated Ipswich a sterner test and we are backing the home side to prevail by the odd goal in three.
Darren Plant
