It’s the start of a new month of fixtures for Ipswich Town. STUART WATSON looks at the games coming up.
BURTON ALBION
When: Saturday (3pm)
Where: Portman Road
Reverse fixture: Burton 0 Ipswich 1 (Harness 16)
The Brewers's position of 18th, just four points above the relegation zone, doesn’t tell the whole story.
Dino Maamria’s men have won six of their last 10 league games (D1 L3), putting them eighth in the post-Christmas form table.
That said, Burton’s record against the current top-10 (W0 D3 L9) has to be cause for encouragement.
Top-scorers Victor Adeboyejo and Davis Keillor-Dunn were both sold in January, but a clutch of loan signings have made an instant impact.
Gassan Ahadme, of course, is ineligible to face his parent club this weekend.
On Saturday’s game, Burton defender Sam Hughes said: “I don’t think we’re going to go there and sit back and watch them dictate play and settle for a draw, we’re going to go there to try and win the game.”
STU’S PREDICTION: Won’t be easy, but I expect Town’s quality to come through. 2-0 Ipswich.
ACCRINGTON STANLEY
When: Tuesday, March 7 (7.45pm)
Where: Portman Road
Reverse fixture: Accrington 0 Ipswich 2 (Chaplin 76, 87).
Stanley are now fully focused on a relegation battle after their Papa John’s Trophy semi-final defeat to Bolton last week.
The goal-shy Lancashire club find themselves in the drop zone on goal difference after winning just two league games since the end of November.
This is not the big, physical Stanley side of old that regularly caused Town problems.
“We have been in this position before and fought ourselves out of it,” said experienced boss John Coleman. “I do believe and I have got to make the players believe.”
STU’S PREDICTION: Town's confidence could be growing by this point. Squad depth to come to the fore in midweek. 4-0 Ipswich.
BOLTON WANDERERS
When: Saturday, March 11 (3pm)
Where: UniBol Stadium
Reverse fixture: Ipswich 1 (Evans 38) Bolton 1 (Morley pen 25)
The Trotters have built up a head of steam since the turn of the year, winning 11 of their 14 matches across all competitions.
That’s put the Lancashire club just a point behind Town in the table (having played two games more) and set up a Wembley final against Plymouth in the Papa John’s Trophy.
Ian Evatt’s side haven’t lost at home in the league since facing Sheffield Wednesday way back on Aug 20.
Back-to-back 5-0 thrashings of Peterborough and MK Dons last month showed what the Trotters are capable of.
Ipswich can, however, take encouragement from the fact Bolton have lost at Derby, Wycombe and Portsmouth in 2023.
STU’S PREDICTION: The potential for two League One juggernauts to collide, creating an equal and opposite reaction. I’ll say 0-0.
SHREWSBURY TOWN
When: Saturday, March 18 (3pm)
Where: Portman Road
Reverse fixture: Shrewsbury 0 Ipswich 3 (John-Jules 22, Chaplin 52, Jackson 90)
Experienced boss Steve Cotterill added some experienced players to his squad last summer in the form of Chey Dunkley, Tom Flanagan, Jordan Shipley and Carl Winchester.
For that reason, I had the Shrews down as my ‘dark horse’ picks before a ball was kicked.
That didn’t look a great shout when Town cruised to a 3-0 win at the New Meadow last August, but it’s since been vindicated.
The Shropshire side won six on the spin in Jan/Feb, scoring 16 goals in the process. After subsequently dropping points at Exeter (0-0) and Accrington (0-1), they got back to winning ways against Wycombe (2-0 at home) last weekend.
The play-offs look to be a stretch for Salop, but this is a dangerous game for Town.
PREDICTION: Has the potential to be a frustrating afternoon. I’ll back Town to find a way. 1-0.
BARNSLEY
When: Saturday, March 25 (3pm)
Where: Oakwell
Reverse fixture: Ipswich 2 (Chaplin 27, Morsy 70) Barnsley 2 (Aitchison 33, Styles 75)
If the in-form Tykes win their two games in hand they jump above Ipswich.
Michael Duff’s side have won six of their last seven, including, most notably, last weekend’s 4-1 home victory against promotion rivals Derby.
Dare I mention the name James Norwood...
It’s worth nothing that Barnsley face Portsmouth, Plymouth, Wycombe and Sheffield Wednesday just prior to Ipswich’s arrival in South Yorkshire.
STU'S PREDICTION: I think I’m going to have to go for another draw at the home of a promotion rival. 1-1.
VERDICT: I've got Town down to go unbeaten in March - three home wins and two draws on the road against fellow top-six sides. I expect it all still to be very tight at the top come the final full month of the campaign.
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