PREVIEW: Portsmouth and Ipswich clash in huge game at both ends of the table
PREVIEW: Portsmouth and Ipswich clash in huge game at both ends of the table Coming off the back of massive wins in their last game, Ipswich and Portsmouth go head to head in a game that has the potential to all but decide the outcomes of certain teams seasons both at the top and the bottom of the Championship table. After Pompey claimed a victory in what was the ultimate smash-and-grab against Middlesbrough in the Riverside where the south-coast side only registered two shots and just one on target which was the Conor Chaplin winner in the 97th minute. Middlesbrough had 18 shots with 10 on target yet failed to take anything from the game.
Ipswich looked every bit a side gearing up for promotion as they comfortably dismantled Norwich in the East-Anglia Derby on Saturday, their 2-0 victory put the Tractor Boys two points clear of third placed Millwall and, with two games in hand, in a great position to obtain that second placed automatic spot. Portsmouth’s victory over Middlesbrough puts an even bigger emphasis on this game, with Ipswich having the chance to all but end the Teesiders automatic promotion hopes. That victory also could be huge for Pompey in the sense that Oxford United also won their game putting them on 44 points with Portsmouth outside the bottom three on 45.
Their result was another damming blow to Leicester City who sit 23rd on 41 points. Having lost just one of their last 12 league games, Ipswich seem to be hitting the right form and the right time as teams around them fall off paving the way for Kieran McKenna’s team to make an immediate return to the Premier League following their relegation last year. The recent exploits of winger Jack Clarke has been a big boost to the Tractor Boys.
As for Portsmouth, their victory over Middlesbrough was the first time Pompey took all three points since their away win over Millwall in the middle of February, they haven’t won at Fratton Park since the end of January beating a West Brom side who at the time seemed to be unable to buy a win. John Mousinho has been over-performing with this Portsmouth side for years and has managed to keep them up in the second tier since their promotion in the 23/24 season. It’s been a remarkable few years for Mousinho and he will be hoping to continue his good streak by keeping Pompey in the Championship for another season.
Portsmouth will be without last years, hero Conor Chaplin as he is ineligible to face his parent club which will be a huge blow, full-back Connor Ogilvie is still serving a ban following his red card against Oxford United. Elsewhere, Josh Murphy and Ebou Adams are both still missing through injury. As for Ipswich, Wes Burns, Conor Townsend and David Button all still remain side-lined through injury whereas McKenna rested Clarke for the East-Anglia Derby so he may be fully fit to start Tuesdays fixture.