City come up against an Ipswich team who have won three of their last four matches in the Championship, but meet an in-form Robins team who have won four out of our four on home soil in recent weeks.
The City have also kept three clean sheets in that time, and will be gunning for a fifth home win on the spin when the Tractor Boys come to Ashton Gate on Saturday.
It’s fair to say that both sides have endured turbulent campaign’s this season, but Town boast the Championship’s third-best defensive record away from home – bettered only by Millwall and QPR.
Vital Quotes:
City boss Keith Millen on Ipswich…
“They were wobbling at one stage, but they’re playing well now. They’re certainly not playing with any pressure on them now.
“I don’t want them coming here and enjoying themselves. We’ve got a fantastic pitch, but we’re a bettter side when we’re up-and-at-them and that’s the way we want to be on Saturday.”
Ipswich manager Paul Jewell on the Robins…
“They were a lot of people’s favourites to be in the top six this season, but Keith’s been around the block and he’s done really well.
‘Nicky [Maynard] hasn’t kicked on as well as he’d have liked to have done after leaving Crewe, but he’s quick and strong and has an eye for goal.”
Bristol City Team News:
City boss Keith Millen has no new injury concerns after the Millwall game in midweek.
Skipper Louis Carey is still a while away following a fractured skull, but could be back over Easter.
On-loan striker Andy Keogh has returned to Wolves to undergo treatment on a back injury.
Player to watch: Albert Adomah
Back to his barnstorming best down the right-flank in recent weeks, the ex-Barnet youngster is expected to terrorise the Tractor Boys.
Ipswich Town Team News:
Ipswich left-back Mark Kennedy is set to miss out after suffering after failing to shrug off a hamstring injury.
Defender Darren O’Dea is likely to deputise, while young Tractor Boys prodigy Connor Wickham could start up front rather than on the wing.
Player to watch: Connor Wickham
The 18-year-old is attracting all the big clubs for his performances this season and all eyes will be on him at Ashton Gate tomorrow.
The Vital Statistics:
– Head-to-head; 53 meetings, Ipswich 25 wins, City 17 with 11 stalemates.
– City have failed to beat Ipswich since December 2007.
– City will be keen to avoid defeat as Ipswch could become the third side this season to complete a league ‘double’ over them (following Norwich and Leeds.)
– City have not won a game this season in which they have conceded more than one goal.
– This is the Suffolk side’s 50th game of the season, more matches this season than any other Championship team.
– Ipswich have conceded eight fewer Championship goals away than at home this season.
NB: Stats provided by BBC Sport.
Ref Watch:
Russell Booth (Nottinghamshire)
Match Prediction:
CITY 2-0 IPSWICH
We’re flying at home and the combination of keeping clean sheets and scoring goals generally only means one outcome! Maynard and Adomah with the goals. You Reds!
Next Fixtures:
APRIL
Sat 23 15:00 Sheffield Utd (A)
Mon 25 15:00 Forest (H)
Sat 30 15:00 Derby (A)
MAY
Sat 7 12:45 Hull (H)
