Preview: Ipswich Town (A) – Bristol City FC

City travel to Portman Road to face Ipswich Town in search of three points after a disappointing defeat to Cardiff City over the weekend. 

This is the first of two fixtures this week for Liam Manning and his side as they welcome Swansea City to BS3 on Sunday. 

High-flying Ipswich Town will be aiming to continue their unbeaten run and close the gap between them and league leaders Leicester City. 

OUR OPPONENTS: Ipswich Town

Ipswich Town currently sit second in the league table having taken the campaign by storm on their return to the Sky Bet Championship. 

The Tractor Boys will be looking to claim their sixth consecutive win, having not dropped a point since the beginning of February in their 2-2 draw against West Bromwich Albion.

Kiernan McKenna’s side have no trouble finding the back on the net and have netted 15 times in their last five fixtures. 

Ipswich’s last home defeat came against Maidstone in the FA Cup at the end of January, but before then against Fulham in the Carabao Cup at the beginning of November.

Having only lost once at home in league action this season, their home record is only bettered by Leeds United.

Formed: 1878
Stadium: Portman Road
Nickname: The Tractor Boys
Manager: Kieran McKenna
Finish last season: 2nd (League One)

MATCH DETAILS

When: Tuesday, March 5th (8pm) 
Where: Sky Bet Championship
Competition: Portman Road

Referee: David Webb
Assistant referee: Alex James & Mark Russell 
Fourth Official: Dean Whitestone 

ONE TO WATCH: Conor Chaplin 

Born in Worthing, Conor Chaplin began his career at Portsmouth, progressing through their youth system before ultimately signing a two-year professional deal with Pompey in 2014. 

Chaplin went on to make more than 100 appearances scoring 25 goals. During his time at the South Coast side, he was loaned to Coventry City before signing permanently for the Sky Blues in 2019. 

After a short spell at Coventry City the attacking midfielder signed for Barnsley where he netted 17 times in 86 appearances drawing the attention of the Tractor Boys who went on to sign Chaplin on a four-year deal. 

During his first season in East Anglia, he scored 11 times which was a snipped of what he could produce as in his second season netted 29 times in 52 appearances. His contribution helped his side gain promotion to the Championship following a second-place finish. 

Chaplin has found the back of the net 11 times this season, including twice in their last four fixtures. 

MATCH REWIND 

Result: Ipswich Town 2-3 Bristol City 
When: 28.11.2018
Competition: Sky Bet Championship 

An own goal from Bartosz Bialkowski cancelled out the Tractor Boys’ half-time advantage, which came courtesy of Freddie Sears, who went on to grab a brace to restore the host’s lead. 

However, City showed their never-say-die attitude with Jamie Paterson pouncing with his second goal of the campaign, before Famara Diédhiou was the super sub with a header to make it 3-2.