Despite Monday’s victory, Ipswich Town will need to step up their game to the next level if they are to continue their revival away to high-flying Middlesbrough.
Vital Preview:
Pundits were quick to claim that Ipswich had finally gotten their Championship season underway following Monday’s televised win over struggling Coventry City. The display was certainly one of their best of the campaign so far, but despite signs that Paul Jewell’s new team is at last beginning to click, there will still be concerns over a number of defensive lapses which, against a better side, they would probably have been punished for.
Therein lies the concern however, as they now head into a week in which they will face three of the Championship’s best performers so far this season. With a trip to heavyweights West Ham United and a game against high-flying Brighton & Hove Albion to follow, Saturday sees Jewell take his team to Middlesbrough, who currently lie 2nd in the table. In addition, they are undefeated at the Riverside Stadium since February and have only lost two of their last 22 matches in all competitions.
Of those two defeats for Tony Mowbray’s team however, one came in their last match – a 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace in the Carling Cup. Furthermore, Ipswich had the better of the meetings between the two sides last year, coming back from two goals down to deny Boro three points at Portman Road after Roy Keane’s Blues had won 3-1 on their previous visit to the Riverside in August last year. That result had gotten Town off to the perfect start to their previous Championship campaign, so can the repeat trip help them maintain their efforts to kickstart this one?
Middlesbrough Team News:
Middlesbrough manager Tony Mowbray looks set to be without defender Seb Hines and goalkeeper Jason Steele for the visit of his former club. Hines is still struggling from a knee problem while Steele has a fractured wrist.
Malaury Martin is also a doubt with illness while striker Jonathan Franks will be sidelined for some time after shoulder surgery, but leading scorer Marvin Emnes looks set to be recalled to the lineup after sitting out the cup defeat to Crystal Palace.
Defender Joe Bennett could also return having been suspended for the midweek clash against the Eagles after being sent off against the same opponents last weekend.
Player to watch: Marvin Emnes
It’s been an excellent start to the season for Middlesbrough, and Marvin Emnes has been one of the driving forces behind it.
The striker had a slow start to his career on Teesside, netting just three league goals in his first three seasons after joining from Sparta Rotterdam in 2008. However, this campaign has seen him exceed that tally with 5 goals in 7 appearances, making him the top scorer at the Riverside.
If Boro are to maintain their promotion push this season, they will need Emnes to continue his good form, and another scoring turn against the Blues could see them go back to the top of the Championship by Saturday evening.
Ipswich Town Team News:
Ipswich Town boss Paul Jewell is sweating over the fitness of centre-back Ibrahima Sonko after he was substituted against Coventry City with a knee injury.
Ivar Ingimarsson may be called upon to replace him if deemed fit, though Damien Delaney was used from the bench on Monday night and will be hoping to keep his place alongside Danny Collins.
Elsewhere Lee Martin is available after suspension for his sending off at Peterborough United but could still miss out with tonsillitis, whilst Mark Kennedy remains a doubt having been sidelined with a calf injury.
Player to watch: Michael Chopra
Despite not scoring since the opening day of the season, surely it can’t be much longer before Michael Chopra finds the net again.
The £1.5 million signing from Cardiff City claimed two assists for Keith Andrews and Jason Scotland’s goals against Coventry City on Monday. He should have gotten on the scoresheet too, had he not squandered two excellent chances in the first half.
In light of those misses, Chopra will be more determined than ever to end his scoring drought. If his display at Bristol City was anything to go by, he certainly has it in him to rack up the goals for the Blues this campaign.
Last Meeting:
FLC – (13th) Ipswich 3-3 Middlesbrough (17th)
12 April 2011
(Click here for Match Report)
Goalscorers:
Ipswich: Leadbitter 6, Wickham 64, Leadbitter (pen) 76
Middlesbrough: Halliday 42, McDonald 43, Taylor 51
Teams:
Ipswich: Lee-Barrett, McAuley, Delaney, Carson, Leadbitter, Edwards, Norris, Bullard, Kennedy (O’Dea 83), Wickham, Scotland (Martin 59)
Middlesbrough: P Smith, Bates, McManus, Hines (Williams 35), Taylor, Bennett, McMahon, Zemmama (Halliday 16), Arca, McDonald, Kink (Thomson 72)
Match Prediction:
If Ipswich are to stand any real chance of challenging for the top six this season, they need to be squeezing a few points out of tough weeks like this.
We may have three wins on the board so far, but they have only come against slow starters Leeds United and struggling Bristol City and Coventry. This week’s three fixtures will surely prove much more testing, and the Blues will have their work cut out if they are to show that they can actually beat the big players in the Championship.
I was there when we won at the Riverside last year, but I’d be surprised if we can repeat the feat on Saturday. Middlesbrough – and indeed Emnes – are now doing what I had tipped them to do last season, and it could be much tougher to come away from Teesside with points this year.
Editor’s Prediction: Middlesbrough 2-0 Ipswich
Make your prediction for this match by joining the Vital Ipswich Prediction League! Click here for details or here to post your entry for this week’s fixtures. (Entries must be posted by 12:30pm on Saturday.)
Next Fixtures:
27/09/2011 FLC West Ham United (A)
01/10/2011 FLC Brighton & Hove Albion (H)
15/10/2011 FLC Cardiff City (A)
Vital Ipswich is looking for a new editor! Interested? Click the banner below for more information or click here for details of how to apply.
What is your prediction for this match? Have your say on our club forums by joining Vital Ipswich:
And get in-depth match previews and reports on every Ipswich Town game throughout the season by following Vital Ipswich on Facebook and Twitter:
