Ipswich Town
- Ipswich Town are fourth in the Championship table with 54 points from 31 matches.
- McKenna’s side have won two, drawn one and lost two of their last five games.
- They’re a tactical team, morphing between a flexible 4-2-3-1 and a 3-4-2-1 in possession, with a reputation for organised counter-pressing and rapid vertical transitions.
- The Tractor Boys average 1.88 goals per game at home in the Championship, scoring 30 goals in 16 games, and will look to Jack Clarke to lead the line on Saturday.
Swansea City
- Swansea City are 15th in the Championship with 45 points from 33 games.
- Swansea City, on the other hand, have won three and lost two of their last five.
- Vitor Matos has increased the Swans’ pressing intensity and pace of play since taking the helm, but they’re still a possession-based team at heart with a structured build-up play.
Key Players
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Ipswich
- The talisman has 12 Championship goals and has four goals in Ipswich’s last eight games, while Conor Chaplin provides some flair and firepower, making the runs to get on the end of chances and linking up with Clarke in the final third.
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Swansea
- Jamie Paterson provides a crucial creative spark and attacking thrust for Swansea, linking the midfield and attack and creating chances for the more advanced players.
- Zan Vipotnik is the main goal threat for the Welsh side, however, with 16 goals in 31 Championship games this season.
- He has three goals in Swansea’s last eight and could be a threat for the Tractor Boys.
Betting Insights
Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich are firmly in the promotion race in the Championship and are coming into this match as clear favorites at 1.62 , compared to the Swans’ long odds of 5.2 .
Prediction
- Ipswich are a team on the up and up, while Swansea City are in a transition phase under Vitor Matos, who is attempting to redefine the identity of the team.
- I’m expecting an open, tempo-changing game as McKenna’s counter-pressing side take on the more possession-based Swans, and I’m going for an Ipswich win.
- The home team have been so strong at Portman Road this season and have dominated this fixture recently, while Swansea City have struggled on the road.
