Two of the Championship's in-form teams will go head-to-head in a top-four clash at the Goldsands Stadium this Saturday as Bournemouth host Ipswich Town.

The Cherries boast the better league position of the two teams going into the match following a magnificent run of results that has left them second in the table, just one point off top spot.

They actually occupied pole position before the international break, only for a goalless draw with Middlesbrough to end a seven-match winning streak in all competitions and allow Derby County to leapfrog them at the summit.

Even so, Eddie Howe will not be too disappointed with just a point away to Middlesbrough, who are level on points with his side and making their own surprise push for automatic promotion.

That result made it eight matches unbeaten in all competitions and, with five consecutive victories in front of their own fans, they will be confident of extending that run even further this weekend.

Their recent record against Saturday's opponents also bodes well for the home side, who have not lost against Ipswich at home in their last six meetings.

Howe could name an unchanged side for the match, which would give Matt Ritchie the chance to add to his league-leading tally of eight assists this season.

Like Bournemouth, Ipswich could also end the weekend top of the pile, although they would need a couple of other results to go their way as well if that were to happen.

Even so, it has been a very strong campaign for the Tractor Boys so far, with back-to-back victories over playoff rivals leaving them fourth in the table and right in the mix.

They have now won three games in a row and have lost just one of their last 13 matches, so will go into this weekend full of confidence despite Bournemouth's lofty league position.

It has not been all good news for Mick McCarthy, though, with loanee Jonny Williams suffering an injury that has seen him return to parent club Crystal Palace for treatment.

McCarthy also has a tricky decision to make between the sticks, with the returning Dean Gerken back available and pushing for a start despite two clean sheets in three games for back-up Bartosz Bialkowski.

It is a nice problem to have, though, and at the other end of the field McCarthy will have been pleased to see Daryl Murphy and debutant David McGoldrick come through international duty unscathed.

McGoldrick contributed two assists in his senior bow for the Republic of Ireland, but it is Murphy who has stolen most of the headlines at club level this season, with six goals in his last seven games.

Bournemouth:

Form in Championship: WWWWWD
Form in all competitions: WWWWWD

Possible starting lineup: Boruc; Francis, Elphick, Cook, Daniels; Ritchie, Arter, Surman, Pugh; Kermorgant, Wilson

Ipswich:

Recent form: DLDWWW

Possible starting lineup: Bialkowski; Chambers, Smith, Berra, Mings; Bru, Tabb, Bishop; Murphy, McGoldrick, Hunt

Sports Mole says: 1-1