Our bite-sized guide to Ipswich Town’s visit to Rotherham in the Championship
When and where?
Saturday, 3pm at the New York Stadium
What’s the team news?
Ainsley Maitland-Niles is likely to be available despite limping off against Bolton on Tuesday, after it was revealed he had only bruised his foot, but David McGoldrick is a doubt after limping out of training. Some good news for Rotherham means both Matt Derbyshire and Lee Frecklington return after injury.
Who is their manager?
Neil Redfearn has recently taken over from Steve Evans, who is the latest to take on the reigns at the madhouse which is Leeds United. Redfearn, who played notably for Barnsley and Charlton, is also a former Leeds manager
How have they been getting on so far this season?
They’re bottom, so not so well. They’ve won just twice in the league this season, with Redfearn winless since taking over at the start of October. The Millers have lost their last three, scoring just once in the process.
Who has the best record in this fixture?
The two teams have only played 26, but the Blues have won half of them. Seven draws and six Rotherham wins make up the rest.
What happened when they met last season?
Sadly things didn’t go to plan when the Blues visited the New York Stadium for the first time in February, as goals from Derbyshire and Connor Sammon ensured Steve Evans’ side took the points. The game at Portman Road also ended 2-0 last season, with Daryl Murphy and David McGoldrick on target.
Who is the ref?
Darren Drysdale is the man in the middle for this game, having not officiated a Blues game since the 2013/14 season. He did so twice that year, with a 1-1 home draw with Birmingham followed by the 2-0 away win at Brighton in March. He’s taken charge of 12 games this season and shown 34 yellow cards, and one red.
Who is the Rotherham danger man?
Three ex-Blues face their former employers tomorrow, in the form of Danny Collins, Frazer Richardson and Paul Green, so one of them is likely to score, aren’t they? Johnson Clarke-Harris is the Millers’ leading scorer with three.
What are the bookies saying?
The Blues are the favourites at 11/8, with a home win a decent price for the neutral at 23/10. Although it’s not that good considering they’ve won once at home all season. Daryl Murphy is 21/10 to score anytime if you fancy him to end his scoring drought.
Anything else worth knowing?
There has not been a draw in this fixture, either in Yorkshire or Suffolk, since England won the World Cup in 1966, but prior to that the previous six games all ended level.
Get involved in all the discussion ahead of Ipswich Town’s trip to Rotherham, with Match Centre
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