Ipswich vs Middlesbrough prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2024-04-12 14:00.
[p]It was a frustrating midweek round for the three sides in contention for the top-two automatic promotion places as all three failed to win. That included Ipswich, whose 0-0 draw against Watford did at least move them into second, and with just 12 points left to play for and a maximum possible total of 100, the Tractor Boys must end a run of back-to-back games without a goal or else nervously watch events unfold at Elland Road.[/p]
[p]There promises to be more twists and turns in the promotion race, although Kieran McKenna’s men will hope to at least score having netted at least twice in their last 19 Saturday held home league games (W15, D3, L1). However, they could yet come unstuck against Middlesbrough, a side that Ipswich have failed to beat in seven of the last eight league encounters (W1, D2, L5).[/p]
[p]That one Boro defeat did come in the reverse as they lost 2-0 at the Riverside, and they enter this clash feeling similarly deflated as whilst extending their unbeaten run to eight games with a 2-2 midweek draw against Hull, making the play-offs now seems like an extremely tall order. Even so, Michael Carrick’s men have nothing to lose at this point and will play to keep their positive momentum going into the close of the season.[/p]
[p]After winning 2-1 away to Norwich earlier in the campaign, Boro have the chance of posting away league wins over both of the Old Farm derby rivals in the same campaign for the first time since 1975/76. Such an outcome would have big implications in the title race and it perhaps wouldn’t be too surprising despite their outsider status as Boro are unbeaten in three straight away league H2Hs (W2, D1).[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Ipswich’s Conor Chaplin scored the winner with four of his last six goals, the first of which was one of three goals he’s scored across his last two Championship starts against Boro. As for the visitors, Finn Azaz rescued a point in midweek with what was his third goal for the club and a career-best ten for the league season (G10, A7). [/p]
[p]Hot stat: Middlesbrough are yet to keep a clean sheet in away league action against sides beginning the round above them (W2, D1, L4). [/p]