Ipswich Town
- Ipswich Town are 3rd in the Championship with 50 points from 28 matches (W10, D4, L1 at home).
- McKenna has headed up the Ipswich first-team since December 2021 and has installed his attacking, proactive approach throughout the club.
- Town are an attacking side who like to play with tempo and create overloads in wide areas and get their full-backs forward while pressing high up the pitch when they don’t have the ball.
Preston North End
- Preston North End are 9th in the Championship table with 43 points from 29 games (W5, D5, L4 in 14 away games).
- Preston’s compact 3-5-2 is designed to be much more structured and will look to create counter-attacking opportunities by sitting deep and defending in numbers.
- Preston have lost three straight games and have won just two of their last five in the Championship, including a 4-0 thrashing at Middlesbrough and 3-0 home defeat to Hull City last time out.
Head-to-Head
Preston North End have won the last 2 of the 3 previous head-to-head meetings in the Championship (Ipswich W1).
Key Players
- Jack Clarke is the most dangerous attacking player at Ipswich’s disposal this season with 11 goals in 28 Championship appearances.
- He is also in form with three goals in his last five games and has the ability to punish defenders when Town’s fast transitions and wide overloads create space in behind.
- Lewis Dobbin is Preston’s most consistent finisher with six goals in 23 Championship games for the Lilywhites, including two of their last five.
- His pace on the counter can get the better of full-backs and his finishing prowess in front of goal will be key to Preston’s chances here.
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Recent stats:
- Jack Clarke: 11 goals in 28 Championship appearances.
- Lewis Dobbin: 6 goals in 23 Championship appearances.
Betting Insights
- Ipswich are odds-on favorites at 1.36 for Saturday’s game, with Preston the 8.3 dark horses and the tie at 4.6.
- The Tractor Boys have won three straight home games, including consecutive 3-0 and 2-0 victories to nil against Blackburn Rovers and Bristol City, respectively.
- They have only lost once at Portman Road all season (W10, D4, L1) and have conceded just 11 goals there - a measly 0.73 goals per game in the Championship this season.
Prediction
However, given the hosts’ strong home form and Preston’s recent results, we’re backing Ipswich to win to nil here.
