Derby County vs Ipswich Town: Predictions, Team News & Lineups Preview
Derby County will clash with Ipswich Town this Saturday in what promises to be an exciting Championship encounter. The match will take place at Pride Park, where the Rams are looking to narrow the gap in the standings against the Tractor Boys.
Current Standings and Form
The Rams currently hold seventh place in the Championship table, with Ipswich Town sitting fourth. This match is critical, as a win for Derby would reduce the points difference to just three. Both teams have their sights set on promotion, making this fixture pivotal.
Derby County’s recent form indicates improvement. They have collected seven points from their last three matches against teams such as Preston North End and West Bromwich Albion. They displayed a dominant performance in their latest away trip, defeating Bristol City 5-0, showcasing their prowess on the road with a total of eight away wins from 15 matches.
Derby County Highlights
- Best away record in the Championship.
- Patrick Agyemang has scored nine goals this season.
- 11 matches without conceding more than two goals.
However, Derby needs to strengthen their home performance. They have earned only 18 points at Pride Park from 15 games. Head coach John Eustace understands the importance of improving this statistic if they aim to secure a playoff position.
Opposition Overview: Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town has also been a strong contender this season but will face challenges as they have struggled in away fixtures recently, securing just one win in their last six outings. Their form took a hit after a 3-1 defeat to Sheffield United on January 24, followed by a draw against Preston.
Ipswich Town Highlights
- 16 points from 13 away games this season.
- Had a strong run of six victories from seven matches before recent setbacks.
- Seven points behind second-place Middlesbrough.
Despite recent struggles, Ipswich is eager to capitalize on their game in hand on their rivals, especially after a midweek match against Portsmouth was postponed. This could provide them with a key opportunity to enhance their promotion hopes.
Team News and Expected Lineups
In terms of team news, Derby County will be without Sammie Szmodics due to loan restrictions, but they expect to retain a consistent lineup. Goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstorm is set to return after recovering from illness. Other contributions from the bench may also affect starting choices.
For Ipswich, Marcelino Nunez and Jaden Philogene are pushing for returns from injury, potentially bolstering their squad. New signing Dan Neil may also make his debut, adding depth to their midfield.
| Derby County Possible Lineup | Ipswich Town Possible Lineup |
|---|---|
| Zetterstorm; Ward, Sanderson, Clarke, Elder; Ozoh, Travis; Brereton Diaz, Clark, Brewster; Agyemang | Walton; Furlong, O’Shea, Kipre, Davis; Matusiwa, Neil; Burns, Mehmeti, Clarke; Hirst |
Match Prediction
With Derby’s recent confidence stemming from their last match, they are poised to challenge Ipswich, a contender for automatic promotion. However, considering Ipswich’s potential for an upturn in form, a high-scoring draw seems likely. A predicted scoreline of 2-2 reflects the intense competition expected in this matchup.
For further data analysis and insights on this match, visit Filmogaz.com.
