Preview: Ipswich Town vs. Bristol City

Sports Mole previews Tuesday’s Championship clash between Ipswich Town and Bristol City, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Ipswich Town play host to Bristol City on Tuesday evening looking for the win that will keep them very much in the Championship title race.

At a time when the Tractor Boys now trail leaders Leicester City by just three points, Bristol City are in mid-table obscurity after three successive defeats.

Match preview
© Reuters

Not so long ago, the Championship title race was considered done and dusted given the level of Leicester’s dominance, yet there is still the potential for a four-horse showdown.

Ipswich are best placed to overtake the Foxes having put together a five-match winning streak in the second tier, scoring 15 goals in the process.

Kieran McKenna’s side have been involved in some entertaining tussles of late, but he is perhaps most pleased with how they overcame Plymouth Argyle on Saturday afternoon.

Still level as the game at Home Park advanced past the hour mark, Ipswich scored twice in 11 minutes to come through with a 2-0 victory.

McKenna’s side now return to Portman Road where they have suffered just one defeat in 17 league games, with that coming against Leeds United all the way back on August 26.

Meanwhile, Bristol City have followed a penalty-shootout exit from the FA Cup against Nottingham Forest with a poor run of results in the league.

Losses have been posted against Queens Park, Rangers, Sheffield Wednesday and Cardiff City, teams that were all below them prior to their respective games.

Although Liam Manning’s side remain in 13th position, they now sit just six points above the relegation zone and need a win to ease pressure on that front.

A 12-point gap to the playoffs with just 11 matches remaining means that promotion now looks highly unlikely, and Manning may also feel that his job could be at risk if there is a prolonged downturn in their fortunes before the international break.

Ipswich Town Championship form:

Bristol City Championship form:

Bristol City form (all competitions):

Team News
© Reuters

Given the three-day turnaround, McKenna may give consideration to making a couple of alterations to his Ipswich XI.

Marcus Harness could be regarded as an alternative to either Omari Hutchinson or Jeremy Sarmiento, while Harry Clarke may also be recalled to the side.

The likes of Brandon Williams, Wes Burns and George Hirst are all expected to remain on the sidelines.

Tommy Conway may be brought back into the Bristol City attack at the expense of Nahki Wells.

Cameron Pring and Anis Mehmeti could also bring some fresh legs to the team, while Kal Naismith may return to the squad after a long-term hamstring injury.

Matty James could also feature, but Scott Twine continues to miss out with a thigh injury.

Ipswich Town possible starting lineup:
Hladky; Clarke, Woolfenden, Burgess, Davis; Morsy, Travis; Harness, Chaplin, Sarmiento; Moore

Bristol City possible starting lineup:
O’Leary; McCrorie, Vyner, Dickie, Roberts; King, Williams; Gardner-Hickman, Knight, Mehmeti; Conway

We say: Ipswich Town 3-1 Bristol City
Although Bristol City have shown in the past that they can impressive at the bigger clubs away from home, we do not feel that it will be the case here. Ipswich look unbeatable right now and we are backing another ruthless performance at Portman Road.

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

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