An inexperienced referee, betting, form and everything you need to know ahead of Ipswich Town v Bristol City.
Luke Hyam with a first half header at Bristol City in 2013 - Credit: Archant
Take a look out our bite-sized guide to Ipswich Town’s home clash with Bristol City
Daryl Murphy celebrates scoring Ipswich's first half goal at Bristol City whilst the defence claim off-side - Credit: Archant
When and where?
Saturday, 3pm at Portman Road
What’s the team news?
Ipswich’s treatment room is beginning to clear. Dean Gerken is available having had a knock recently, although Teddy Bishop won’t be rushed following his own injury. Giles Coke is likely to miss out with an achilles issues, with long-term injury victim Luke Hyam still sidelined.
Who is their manager?
Cole Skuse during his City days - Credit: Archant
Steve Cotterill has been in charge at Ashton Gate since the start December 2013, but couldn’t save the reds from relegation to League One in his first year in charge. However, following a mass clearout, they started superbly in their bid to bounce back and romped to the third tier title. They also won the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy,
Most Read
- 1 Firefighters tackling fire near popular Suffolk hotel and spa
- 2 85 school children under 4 suspended in Suffolk
- 3 'Ipswich will be my club for the rest of my days' - Chambers on Town return
- 4 Two arrests as man suffers serious injuries in pub brawl in seaside village
- 5 Popular family-run butchers announces closure
- 6 'Incredible' firefighters spend nearly 12 hours tackling forest blaze
- 7 Sir Cliff Richard sends best wishes to Summer Holiday cast
- 8 Range Rover stolen from home in east Suffolk
- 9 North Stander: The early signs are very positive for Town
- 10 Thousands head to Helmingham car show
How have they been getting on so far this season?
Life’s been tougher for the red half of Bristol since their return to the Championship, with just one win in the league seeing them sit second bottom. That victory did come at Middlesbrough, somewhat surprisingly, but things have been tough.
Who has the best record in this fixture?
These two have met 58 times in all competitions with the Blues winning 10 more times than City, 28 to 18, with 12 draws. Town are unbeaten in 10 games between the two at Portman Road, with City’s last win in Suffolk coming in September 1978.
Brett Pitman unveiled as a Bristol City player, alongside former Town striker Jon Stead - Credit: PA
What happened last time they met?
The two sides met twice in just over a month, either side of Christmas, in 2012/13, with City taking four points to Ipswich’s one. Tommy Smith equalised Neil Dann’s goal to earn a 1-1 draw at Portman Road on December 22, before Jon Stead grabbed a stoppage time winner as City won 2-1 at Ashton Gate on January 26.
Who is the ref?
Peter Bankes has the whistle for this one. He only made his Football League debut last year, having been a linesman (sorry, referee’s assistant) in the Premier League and has so far only taken charge of 38 games. He’s never refereed a game involving Ipswich, having only officiated six Championship games, but did oversee City’s 2-0 win at Chesterfield last season.
Who is Bristol City’s danger man?
Luke Freeman can pop up at any place at any time, with s starting base in midfield, and is also capable of finding the net from range. He’s one that needs to be watched, but if you stick too close to him he’s able to pull you out of position.
What are the bookies saying?
If the bookies are right then Ipswich should walk this. They’re to 11/10 to win with City at 11/4. They’re not always right, though. David McGoldrick is favourite to open the scoring at 5/1, if he plays.
Anything else worth knowing?
The Blues could field three former Robins against their old team tomorrow. Dean Gerken, Cole Skuse and Brett Pitman all turned out for the Ashton Gate club earlier in their careers, with Skuse a born-and-bred City fan.
You can get involved in today’s game using our Match Centre, which brings you live updates and all the news and views from Portman Road.
