MX23RW : Friday, January 31 07:42:07| >> :60:2202:2202:
[monks data]
Watford logo
Championship
Mar 21, 2015 at 3pm UK
 
Ipswich logo

0-1

FT(HT: 0-0)
Chaplow (95')

Preview: Watford vs. Ipswich Town

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Championship clash between promotion hopefuls Watford and Ipswich Town.

Leaders Watford will face a stern test of their title credentials when they host fellow promotion hopefuls Ipswich Town on Saturday afternoon.

In a promotion race which has taken so many twists and turns, it could be Watford's form in 2015 which makes the biggest difference when the top teams reach the final days of the campaign.

Slavisa Jokanovic's side have lost just one of their previous 11 league games, and a 2-0 victory over Wigan Athletic in midweek means they are currently leading second-placed Middlesbrough only on goal difference.

The safe bet would be to assume there will be more drama in the coming weeks, but Watford will be fully aware that a win over Ipswich would give them a big confidence boost.

For Ipswich, the weekend will be mainly about not losing further ground as they look to force their way back into the playoff places.

Mick McCarthy watched his side end a four-match winless run with a 1-0 victory over Bolton Wanderers in midweek - a result which leaves them just a point behind Brentford.

However, Wolves are just two points adrift of the Tractor Boys, and McCarthy knows that he cannot afford for his men to go on another frustrating run of results.

Ipswich are likely to name an unchanged side from the win over Bolton, with Bartosz Bialkowski expected to keep his place in goal as Dean Gerken remains out with an injury.

Watford have added a defensive option to their squad with the loan signing of Matthew Connolly from Cardiff City, and he will almost certainly be handed a spot in the squad on Saturday.

Watford:

Recent form: WWWWDW

Possible starting lineup: Gomes; Cathcart, Angella, Ekstrand, Hoban; Forestieri, Watson, Guedioura, Munari; Deeney, Vydra

Ipswich:

Recent form: WLLDLW

Possible starting lineup: Bialkowski; Chambers, Smith, Berra, Mings; Parr, Skuse, Tabb, Bishop; Sears, Murphy

Sports Mole says: 2-0


ID:212248: cacheID:212248:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4249:
Written by
Callum Mulvihill
No Data Analysis info

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
Ipswich manager Mick McCarthy looks on during his team's Championship match against Millwall on January 18, 2014
Read Next:
Preview: Ipswich vs. Bolton
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds29179353193460
2Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd29186540211958
3Burnley29151223692757
4Sunderland291510442241855
5West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom291014538251344
6Middlesbrough29128947361144
7Blackburn RoversBlackburn29126113228442
8Bristol City29101183734341
9Watford29125124041-141
10Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds29118104245-341
11Norwich CityNorwich29109104842639
12Coventry CityCoventry29108113938138
13Queens Park RangersQPR2991193237-538
14Millwall29910102826237
15Preston North EndPreston2981383236-437
16Oxford UnitedOxford Utd2999113343-1036
17Swansea CitySwansea2997133240-834
18Cardiff CityCardiff29710123344-1131
19Hull City2978143038-829
20Stoke CityStoke29611122636-1029
21Portsmouth2978143652-1629
22Derby CountyDerby2976163240-827
23Luton TownLuton2975172948-1926
24Plymouth ArgylePlymouth29410152762-3522


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!