Ipswich Town play host to Portsmouth on Saturday afternoon with just two points separating the clubs in the League One standings.
However, while the Tractor Boys and Pompey remain as outsiders for the playoffs, they head into the fixture at Portman Road as two of the form teams in the division.
Match preview
© Reuters
When Kieran McKenna was brought in as the replacement for Paul Cook, Ipswich supporters would have expected no more than a settling-in period for the remainder of the campaign.
However, since his appointment, Ipswich have collected 30 points from 14 matches, the second-best return in the division and one which has left the East Anglian outfit with hope of making the playoffs.
Although some of the teams above them have games in hand, McKenna's side have all the momentum, particularly when you consider that they have only conceded five times.
Just one of those goals have been conceded during their current eight-match unbeaten streak, and Ipswich head into this contest on the back of successive 2-0 wins over Fleetwood Town and Lincoln City.
Wes Burns and Kayden Jackson have been key over the past five matches, the pair scoring three goals apiece to move Ipswich ahead of their upcoming opponents.
Nevertheless, possessing two matches in hand while trailing just two points, Portsmouth are arguably in the stronger position of the two clubs.
Danny Cowley's team have recorded 19 points from a possible 21, scoring as many as 21 goals in the process, and winning their games in hand would take them level on points with fifth-placed Sunderland.
Cowley will insist that Pompey must take it one match at a time, especially when the South-Coast team meet playoff rivals in their next three matches.
However, opposition defences will be wary of the form of George Hirst, who has netted five of his eight league goals for the season during his last three appearances.
- D
- W
- D
- D
- W
- W
- W
- W
- D
- W
- W
- W
Team News
Ipswich may be forced into at least two changes with George Edmundson sustaining an ankle injury and Sam Morsy carrying a hamstring issue.
Cameron Burgess and Tom Carroll are expected to deputise for the pair at centre-back and in central midfield respectively.
Barring any further fitness issues, the remainder of the Ipswich XI should stay the same, with Michael Jacobs potentially returning to the substitutes' bench after injury.
Hayden Carter has been passed fit for Portsmouth after shaking off a calf problem picked up at Crewe.
Marcus Harness serves the second of a three-match ban, which will likely lead to Ronan Curtis continuing to feature in his place.
Ipswich Town possible starting lineup:
Walton; Donacien, Woolfenden, Burgess, Thompson; Bakinson, Carroll; Burns, Aluko, Celina; Jackson
Portsmouth possible starting lineup:
Bazunu; Carter, Raggett, Robertson; Romeo, Morrell, Thompson, Ogilvie; Curtis; Walker, Hirst
We say: Ipswich Town 1-1 Portsmouth
Given their form and what is at stake, this is the most anticipated match in the division over the weekend, and we expect a game full of quality to play out. However, both teams could cancel each other out, leading to a draw that does not necessarily help either club.
Top tip
Data Analysis
Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Ipswich Town win with a probability of 48.92%. A draw had a probability of 25.9% and a win for Portsmouth had a probability of 25.16%.
The most likely scoreline for a Ipswich Town win was 1-0 with a probability of 12.25%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 2-1 (9.26%) and 2-0 (9.24%). The likeliest drawn scoreline was 1-1 (12.28%), while for a Portsmouth win it was 0-1 (8.15%). The actual scoreline of 0-0 was predicted with an 8.1% likelihood. Our team at Sports Mole correctly predicted a draw in this match.
