Saturday’s big Sky Bet Championship clash sees Ipswich meet Reading at Portman Road in a pivotal relegation six pointer at foot of the table.
Ipswich need victory here if are to cut their nine point gap to Reading who are currently just above the drop on goal difference from Rotherham.
Team news
Embed from Getty ImagesWill Keane is sidelined for Ipswich with a hamstring injury whilst Jonas Knudsen serves a one match ban, having been sent off against Wigan last weekend.
James Collins and Ellis Harrison meanwhile are continuing to regain match fitness following hamstring injuries.
Jack Lankester (back), Grant Ward (cruciate), Tom Adeyemi (Achilles), Emyr Huws (knee) and Freddie Sears (knee) are all ruled out for the Tractor Boys.
Reading are without Andy Rinomhota (ankle) and Jon Dadi Bodvarsson (back) for this clash.
Sam Baldock is ruled out with a thigh injury whilst goalkeeper, Anssi Jaakkola is suffering with an Achilles injury.
Iranian midfielder, Saeid Ezatolahi is close to returning from a quad injury but won’t be risked here.
Form
Ipswich enter this game winless in their last six but have drawn 1-1 in each of their last three outings.
Reading are unbeaten in five of their last six but have taken four draws compared to just one win from those games.
Stat Attack
- Ipswich are unbeaten in last four meetings with Reading (W2, D2).
- Ipswich’s Freddie Sears has scored in two of his last three appearances against Reading.
- Will Keane has scored in his last two appearances for Ipswich compared to one in his previous five beforehand.
Prediction
This is make or break for the survival hopes of both teams and both have picked up form just in time.
Reading can probably get away with a draw here but Ipswich must realistically win this, if want a shot at survival and their recent record over the Royals should give them that extra confidence to do it.
Prediction: Ipswich Town 2-1 Reading