Pim Set for Start?

In midweek, manager Jim Magilton said that Chelsea in the FA Cup would provide him a chance to see where his Ipswich side are as a team. However, he will also get to see this come 3pm on Saturday afternoon against a fellow play-off chasing side in Crystal Palace.

The Eagles are currently eighth in the Championship following only two defeats in November and December, and also a decent start to January. They currently have 40 points from their 26 matches played, with a +10 goal difference. Ipswich on the other hand have just 36 points from 27 games, with a goal difference of +7 and lie three places below Palace in the table.

The Blues have won four, drawn four and lost five on their travels this season – a stark contrast to 2007/08 when Town were chasing only their second away win of the season when they went into the game at Selhurst Park last February. Palace have won seven, drawn four and lost two of their home games this season.

The average age of the Palace squad is lesser than most teams in the division, and it is Eagles manager Neil Warnock’s philosophy to rely on youth, and this so far has paid dividends with his young side exceeding expectations this season.

Selhurst Park has been averaging around 15,100 a match this season, with the highest gate so far against Ipswich’s arch-rivals Norwich City, with an attendance of 17,180.

From the Dugouts:

New assistant manager John Gorman is relishing going head-to-head with Neil Warnock, and told the EADT: ‘Neil is a total professional and he has shown what a great manager he is and I would never disrespect him even if we have not always seen eye to eye.

‘I always get on well with him off the pitch but for some reason when we in the dug outs things happen. We always try to keep it calm but something always happens during the game to spark it off.

‘He can wind up the opposition coaches. He does say things and you have to bite your tongue but having that Scottish fire in me I don’t do that.’

The ex-Wycombe coach also believes that Ipswich can prosper away from home: ‘Being away can be better sometimes because teams can express themselves away. Palace will come at us and that will allow us to get behind them.

‘There is no greater incentive for the players than to go to Stamford Bridge the following Saturday.’

The management team will have their work cut out to avoid the players’ minds drifting from the task in hand with that big FA Cup fourth round tie against Chelsea only a week away.

Crystal Palace Team News:

Palace have a trio of ex-Ipswich strikers vying for a place up front in the form of Alan Lee, James Scowcroft and Shefki Kuqi. Teenage striker Victor Moses is out after suffering a knock on his ankle against Leicester in the FA Cup in midweek, although his replacement in that game, Sean Scannell could start.

Jose Fonte returns from suspension and will take up a place at the heart of defence, while Ben Watson is back in training following a calf injury. John Oster could also return after a similar injury, but Paddy McCarthy is a long-term absentee with a shoulder problem.

Player to watch: Alan Lee

We know all about him, and it will be interesting to see how he reacts against his former side.

Ipswich Town Team News:

Richard Wright is a guaranteed starter in goal all being well, but Ipswich have problems in defence. Moritz Volz was due to return from two games out of the side at right-back with David Wright having recently suffered a recurrence of a hamstring injury that kept him out of the festive period, but the German has since picked up a groin injury.

Ben Thatcher will be on the left of defence, with Alex Bruce on the right if Volz fails his late fitness test. If not, then Bruce will be in the middle alongside Gareth McAuley, in place of the injured Ivan Campo. Should Volz not make the game, young Pim Balkestein will start in the centre with Bruce on the right. Richard Naylor was sent to Leeds on loan in midweek, with Town’s only other recognised centre-back Tommy Smith out until at least March with a broken ankle.

Jon Walters is poised to be on the left of midfield turn strikeforce when Town have the ball in a 4-5-1/4-3-3 formation. Danny Haynes should start on the right after impressing against Sheffield Wednesday last week, while David Norris, Owen Garvan and Veliche Shumulikoski could be the three centre-midfielders.

Kevin Lisbie is most likely to be given the go-ahead to start up front, with Pablo Counago and Jon Stead not scoring away from home of late. Dean Bowditch may be an outside chance of getting a game from the bench.

Player to watch: Pim Balkestein

New assistant manager had high hopes for Town’s Dutch defender, and was backing him to earn himself a place in the side. We will see how he does if Volz fails his fitness test.

Match Facts & Stats

The Formbook

Crystal Palace: WLWDD
Ipswich: DWWLD

Head-to-Head

The Blues have had the better of Palace historically, with 28 wins compared to only 22 defeats. There have been 23 draws between the two sides.

Last Time We Met

The teams played out a rather flat 1-1 draw in front of the Sky cameras at Portman Road. After the performance of the two sides last time round, Sky have kept well away. Victor Moses scored a point-blank header for Palace after Richard Wright went from hero to zero. Wright pulled off a wonderful stop to deny Palace equalising just minutes after Town went ahead through Jon Stead, but then fumbled the resulting corner into the path of Moses.

Ref Watch:

Referee is Clive Penton from Sussex, who refereed Town against Palace at Portman Road last season.

Match Prediction:

A win is needed to keep us in touch with the play-off pack, and the likes of Crystal Palace who are hovering around the top six. Last season, Ipswich earned themselves only their second of three away wins at Selhurst Park, but I can’t see Town getting their second in two seasons. I think that game will be a 2-2 draw, with Alan Lee bagging a Crystal Palace goal.