After losing top spot in the League One table, Ipswich Town return to action on Boxing Day, as they welcome Oxford United to Portman Road.
While Town saw their long unbeaten run in the league ended at Wycombe last time out, the U's extended their own streak without defeat to 10 games with a goalless draw against Sheffield Wednesday.
Match preview
© Reuters
Having last lost in the league back in October and also cruised through the first two rounds of the FA Cup, Ipswich had almost forgotten the bitter taste of defeat before travelling to meet Wycombe Wanderers last weekend.
Kieran McKenna's side topped the third-tier standings before kickoff at Adams Park, but their subsequent 1-0 reverse and Plymouth Argyle's win against Morecambe combined to drop the Tractor Boys down to second place at Christmas; trailing the new leaders by two points.
Nonetheless, a year into McKenna's reign, Ipswich are prime contenders for a long-awaited return to the Championship and his team have lost just three times in the league this season.
Their Boxing Day clash with tough-to-beat Oxford also presents an opportunity to bounce back and even immediately return to the summit of League One should other results go their way.
Tackling the first of three games in eight days, Town's schedule is suitably stuffed for the festive period. As forthcoming hosts Portsmouth and Lincoln City have lost just once at home between them, McKenna and co will aim to make the most of home advantage on Monday, at a packed Portman Road.
© Reuters
More than 28,000 supporters are expected to file into one of English football's most historic stadiums - the vast majority favouring the hosts - but Oxford are certainly in the mood to provide Ipswich with a tough test.
The U's have not lost in the league since late October, and have also fared well away from home this term - with only three defeats from 11 fixtures on the road.
Following a sluggish start to the 2022-23 campaign, a run of four wins and six draws sees Karl Robinson's men in with a shout of improving on an eighth place finish last season, having also made the playoffs in each of the two years prior.
Robinson's preference is for possession-based, front-foot football, and his team took the game to third-placed Sheffield Wednesday last week before settling for a point from the sides' stalemate at Hillsborough.
League One's top three aside, the rest of the division down to Oxford in 15th is covered by only 10 points, so working their way into top-six contention in the new year is surely achievable. Upsetting the festivities in Suffolk could prove the perfect kickstart to that cause.
Team News
© Reuters
Ipswich defensive duo Janoi Donacien and Luke Woolfenden are expected to be available on Boxing Day, having missed the loss to Wycombe with ankle and adductor problems respectively.
Both could therefore start in a back four for the home side, though Kane Vincent-Young and George Edmundson are on standby to feature if required.
Winger Marcus Harness is ready to return following knee surgery and could be involved from the bench, while Freddie Ladapo is set to beat Kayden Jackson to the lone striker's role despite failing to score on his last two starts.
Meanwhile, Oxford United's attack will once again be led by Matt Taylor, with Cameron Brannagan supporting the experienced frontman from behind. The latter has netted nine goals so far this season - including six in 20 League One appearances - and should recover in time from a rolled ankle sustained against Sheffield Wednesday.
Yanic Wildschut and Josh Murphy both returned from injury last time out and are set to feature again - but most likely from the bench, as Karl Robinson keeps a settled side to maintain momentum.
Ipswich Town possible starting lineup:
Walton; Donacien, Woolfenden, Burgess; Burns, Morsy, Humphreys, Davis; Chaplin, Aluko; Ladapo
Oxford United possible starting lineup:
Eastwood; Anderson, Long, Findlay, Brown; Bate, Brannagan, McGuane; Bodin, Taylor, Browne
We say: Ipswich Town 2-2 Oxford United
Having played just twice since the start of December, Oxford will certainly arrive in Ipswich fresh-legged, and they are set to severely test their hosts' resolve. Town will be fired up in front of a full house, though, and it could be an entertaining encounter in which the spoils are shared.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
