Watford could move back to the top of the Championship table with a victory over fellow high-flyers Ipswich Town at Portman Road on Saturday.

The Hornets were knocked off top spot on Tuesday having succumbed to a shock 2-1 defeat away to struggling Birmingham City, a result that ended a nine-game unbeaten streak.

Positive results for Bournemouth and Middlesbrough saw them displace Slavisa Jokanovic's side, but the top two face each other on Saturday, and Watford will be keen to capitalise on at least one of them dropping points.

Just three points separate a tightly-contested top six at the moment, with Watford currently sitting in third place. However, they will drop to fourth before kickoff whatever result takes place in the early match between Derby County and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

That would pile a little more pressure on the Hornets' shoulders, but so far they have dealt well with such scenarios, as demonstrated by their ability to shrug off the distraction of having had four permanent managers already this season.

The latest of those, Jokanovic, accused his side of being too sluggish against Birmingham and, as a result, may make a couple of changes to his side this weekend.

He will not be able to call on the services of injured trio Gabriele Angella, Almen Abdi and Gabriel Tamas, however, while Sebastien Bassong and Gianni Munari are also doubts having missed the midweek defeat.

While Watford are eyeing top spot this weekend, Ipswich could also make the most of those above them dropping points should they pick up a valuable away victory.

With all of the top six playing another team in the playoff places, the winners of those clashes will find themselves much better off courtesy of what is effectively a six-point swing.

Ipswich could end the day just a point off the top if they can clinch a third consecutive victory, and they will be full of confidence following their 2-1 win over promotion rivals Wolves on Tuesday.

They have now lost just once in their last 12 outings, and while a few of those matches have seen Mick McCarthy's men throw away leads late on, the manager will be pleased that his side are so tough to beat.

That is particularly true at home, where the Tractor Boys have only been beaten by local rivals Norwich City this season, winning five of their eight league outings.

However, Ipswich have only won one of their last 19 meetings with Watford in all competitions, with their last win over the Hornets at Portman Road coming more than a decade ago.

In-form striker Daryl Murphy will lead the line in an attempt to change that, while Jonathan Williams is also in contention following a recent injury.

Recent form

Ipswich: WWDLDD

Watford: LWDDWD

Possible starting lineups

Ipswich: Gerken; Mings, Berra, Chambers, Smith; Bru, Skuse, Hyam; McGoldrick, Murphy, Hunt

Watford: Gomes; Paredes, Ekstrand, Angella, Pudil; Andrews, Anya, Tozser; Vydra, Deeney, Ighalo

Sports Mole says: 1-1

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