Ipswich Town play host to Preston North End with the opportunity to move at least six points clear in the Championship automatic promotion race.

Although Preston sit just one position adrift of their second-placed hosts, the visitors to Portman Road have suffered two heavy defeats in succession.

Match preview

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When Ipswich started the season with wins over Sunderland and Stoke, with the assumption was that the newly-promoted side may become more inconsistent as more matches came about.

Instead, Kieran McKenna's team have only further showcased their qualities, remarkably prevailing in eight of their 10 matches in the second tier, with their only defeat coming in a seven-goal thriller versus Leeds United.

Since then, a six-game undefeated streak has been put together, the Tractor Boys winning five times, to move five points clear of their next opponents.

Although Ipswich had to battle hard to salvage a late share of the spoils at Huddersfield Town, they responded on Tuesday with a 3-0 success over potential promotion rival Hull City.

The East Anglian outfit have netted in each of their 13 matches in all competitions during 2023-24 ahead of facing opponents who have seemingly lost their way.

Up until last weekend, Preston had been unbeaten in the Championship and conceded just six time in eight matches, keeping them in the top three.

However, Ryan Lowe has since witnessed his team lose 4-0 at home to West Bromwich Albion and ship three second-half goals in defeat at leaders Leicester City.

While their early-season work has not quite been undone, Preston need a bounce-back win as soon as possible, and Lowe would have preferred that they were not making the long trip to Portman Road.

Despite just five goals being conceded in as many matches on their travels this campaign, that record is effectively irrelevant when they have let seven strikes in without reply in just two outings.

Team News

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McKenna could opt to select the same Ipswich XI that recorded an authoritative triumph over Hull in midweek.

However, it is plausible that Cameron Burgess may return to take the place of George Edmundson in the middle of the backline after missing out entirely versus the Tigers.

The likes of Omari Hutchinson and Freddie Ladapo are expected to remain among the replacements.

Meanwhile, Lowe must decide whether to retain the back four that was used against Leicester, rather than Preston's more familiar defensive three.

Will Keane may be restored to the attack in place of Milutin Osmajic, while Ryan Ledson may be restored to the centre of midfield after missing his first game of the season at the King Power Stadium.

Ipswich Town possible starting lineup:
Hladky; Williams, Woolfenden, Burgess, Davis; Morsy, Luongo; Burns, Chaplin, Harness; Hirst

Preston North End possible starting lineup:
Woodman; Potts, Whatmough, Lindsay, Cunningham; Millar, Ledson, McCann, Brady; Holmes; Keane

We say: Ipswich Town 2-0 Preston North End

Despite occupying lofty heights this season, Preston travel to Ipswich with damage limitation in mind. That means that they would be delighted with a point, yet Ipswich are playing with such confidence that they should be able to post a hard-earned win.

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