Ipswich Town
- Ipswich Town are unbeaten in their last two home games (Won 1, Drawn 1).
- Kieran McKenna has slowly implemented a disciplined, possession-based, high-pressing philosophy at Ipswich since taking over as manager in December 2021 and his hard work is finally bearing fruit.
- The Tractor Boys currently sit second in the Championship table with 75 points from 41 games, putting them firmly in the hunt for an automatic promotion place.
- The Black and Whites are on a run of three wins, one draw and one defeat in their last five games and recently got the better of archrivals Norwich City 2-0 away at Carrow Road.
Middlesbrough
- Middlesbrough have drawn their last two away games (both draws).
- Boro are fifth in the Championship with 72 points from 42 games, so they still have work to do to secure a playoff spot.
- Kim Hellberg has kept the width of a back-three and wing-backs in his system while making his own tweaks to make Boro a more attack-minded side with greater tactical flexibility.
- They have not been in great form, however, with no wins, three draws and two defeats in their last five.
- Riley McGree can make things happen and runs at defenders in a way that the average Championship player cannot, although he is just as likely to make a mazy run forward from midfield as he is to create a chance for a forward.
- Morgan Whittaker, however, is Boro’s principal threat, with 11 goals in 36 Championship appearances this term.
Head-to-Head
- The reverse fixture against Middlesbrough - which Boro won 2-1 at the Riverside five months ago - happened before their latest 2-0 defeat at Portsmouth.
- Ipswich are unbeaten in their last 2 home games and have not won their last home game against Boro.
Key Players
- Ipswich
- Ipswich have scored 38 goals in 21 home Championship games this season and Jack Clarke has led the line impressively, with 14 goals in 41 games, to give the Tractor Boys a constant threat of a goal.
- Conor Chaplin brings the creativity and the capacity to unlock defenses with a clever pass or run.
- Middlesbrough
- Riley McGree can make things happen and runs at defenders in a way that the average Championship player cannot, although he is just as likely to make a mazy run forward from midfield as he is to create a chance for a forward.
- Morgan Whittaker, however, is Boro’s principal threat, with 11 goals in 36 Championship appearances this term.
Betting Insights
Ipswich are unbeaten in their last 2 home games and have not won their last home game against Boro , so I am backing the home side to win at 2.16 , although the odds for Over 2.5 goals at 1.8 and Both Teams to Score - Yes at 1.65 look tempting too.
Prediction
Ipswich Town have enough momentum to take the game to Middlesbrough and I’m backing the Tractor Boys to win Sunday’s high-stakes promotion showdown with both teams to score .
