Ipswich v Middlesbrough Preview

Aitor Karanka believes that his Middlesbrough side will benefit from playing two games in such a short space of time.

Boro face Ipswich at Portman Road in tonight’s 7:45 kick-off, just three days after losing to Everton in the Capital One Cup.

But Karanka thinks his players will benefit from the experience of playing a Premier League side and will return to the championship “hungry for success”.

A victory would move the Teessiders top of the table with others not playing until Saturday, even so Karanka remained wary of a “strong” Town side who like to “play long balls and a physical game”.  

Ipswich sit seventh in the table and are only outside the play-offs of goal difference. Manager Mick McCarthy has expressed his relief following the re-emergence of striker Daryl Murphy, who has scored six goals in his last three games after a slow start to the season.

Team News

Boro have no injury concerns after the Everton game according to Karanka, who confirmed full back Tomas Kalas has returned and will travel with the side after a knee injury.

Town are still without striker David McGoldrick who has a groin problem. In recent games Murphy has led the line with Freddie Sears and Brett Pitman playing either side of him. Winger Ryan Fraser is out with long term injuries while midfielder Teddy Bishop could return.

Facts and Stats

Boro haven’t won at the Portman Road since 1993, they have played there 10 times since.

Last season Town won 2-0 at home after goals from Daryl Murphy and Jay Tabb, Boro won 4-1 in the return fixture at the Riverside.

No team has scored more goals in the final 15 minutes of games than Middlesbrough this season (nine), while Ipswich have scored the fewest in that time (one) [BBC Sport]

Key Players

Boro's Ben Gibson
(Picture from i1.gazettelive.co.uk)

Boro’s Key

Ben Gibson

The home-grown defender is often the unsung hero in a Boro side which has kept four clean sheets in their last five games. The Teessider’s success has been built on the partnership between Gibson and fellow centre and Daniel Ayala; when the pair have played together Boro have only lost twice since the start of last season, one of which was the play-off final.

When Boro played at Portman Road last season the hosts found success by pressing high up the pitch. Gibson will therefore have to be astute in possession and distribute the ball well for the players in front of him.

Ipswich's Daryl Murphy
(Picture from irishpost.co.uk)

One To Watch

Daryl Murphy

Murphy was one of Boro’s transfer targets in the summer but decided to stay at Ipswich where he scored 27 league goals last season, making him the Championship’s top goal scorer. The Irish striker made a slower start to this campaign, but has returned to form by scoring six goals in his last three games. That included a brace away at Charlton last weekend which moved Town up to seventh in the league. Murphy knows the feeling of scoring against Boro after scoring in both games when the sides met last season.  

Form

Ipswich

Charlton 0-3 W

Wolves 2-2 D

Rotherham 2-5 W

Bolton Wanderers 2-0 W

Cardiff 0-0 D

Middlesbrough

Everton 0-2 L [Capital One Cup]

Huddersfield 0-2 W

QPR 1-0 W

Hull 3-0 L

Rotherham 1-0 W

Prediction

Ipswich 1 Middlesbrough 1

Boro have found success hard to come by at Portman Road in recent times and are bound to face another tough test against an in form Ipswich side. Even so Boro should have learnt from their experience against Everton in mid-week and want to bounce back.  An early goal could open the game up but I expect it to be a tight game and probably end in a draw.