Ipswich vs Rotherham prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2024-02-19 19:45.
Back-to-back away wins that saw them score five times in the first half have seen Ipswich get their quest for automatic promotion back on track. Fast starts have actually become the ‘norm’ for the Tractor Boys, with no club in the Championship scoring more first half goals than Ipswich’s 33 to this point, whilst their 57 overall in that period is also a tally bettered by no other second-tier side.
Kieran McKenna’s side know that another fast start over strugglers Rotherham would put them on course for a win that, depending on results elsewhere, could propel them up into the top two. On paper, the hosts look strong favourites to hold up their end of the bargain having lost just one of their last 31 home league games (W22, D8), while they’re unbeaten in the 13 at Portman Road since that sole defeat (W9, D4)!
Propping up the Championship table, the Millers are searching for a first away league win of the season, and a first since November 2022. They’ve failed to win any of their 28 on the road since (D11, L17), but Rotherham can perhaps take heart from the fact their last league away win saw them upset the applecart against a promotion favourite in Sheffield United!
While the league table suggests this one should be a home banker, the history books tell a different story, with United winning seven of the last ten league H2Hs (D2, L1). That includes back-to-back league wins at Portman Road, but a repeat of the 2-0 wins they managed in those seems unlikely with a division-low three clean sheets this season.
Players to watch: Leif Davis has assisted seven goals in his last ten league games at Portman Road, and also got an assist in the reverse fixture back in November. Rotherham’s January addition Charlie Wyke has two goals in three appearances against Ipswich, scoring home and away against the Tractor Boys for Sunderland in 2020/21, with both of those being the opener.
Hot stat: Rotherham boss Leam Richardson has drawn all three of his personal H2Hs with the Tractor Boys.