Ipswich Town will hope to rediscover their winning touch when they take on Hull City this weekend.
In a crucial EFL Championship clash, Hull City and Ipswich Town are set to battle it out at the MKM Stadium on Saturday night, both vying for a spot in next season’s Premier League.
Hull City’s hopes of securing a top-six finish were kept alive with a thrilling victory over Coventry City in midweek, extending their unbeaten run to five matches. Liam Rosenior’s side displayed resilience as they emerged victorious in a five-goal thriller, with substitute Noah Ohio sealing the win late in the game.
The Tigers, currently seventh in the table, are heavily reliant on the defensive prowess of Jacob Greaves, who has been instrumental throughout the season. Their recent home form has been promising, having clinched a comprehensive victory over Queens Park Rangers in their last outing at the MKM Stadium.
Meanwhile, Ipswich Town enter the fixture following a two-week break, having secured a 1-1 draw against Middlesbrough in their previous league encounter. Despite some inconsistencies in recent matches, Kieran McKenna’s side remains in contention for automatic promotion to the Premier League, sitting just one point off the top two.
Attacking midfielder Conor Chaplin has been a standout performer for Ipswich Town this season, contributing 13 goals and seven assists. With his form crucial to their promotion aspirations, Ipswich Town will look to Chaplin to lead them to victory on the road.
As the season approaches its climax, both teams will be eager to secure vital points in their quest for promotion. With so much at stake, Saturday’s match0up promises to be an interesting matchup where neither sie can afford to lose points. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up for the game and their tactics.
Team News & Tactics
Hull City
Hull City may face a setback with the absence of Anass Zaroury, as the Burnley loanee is sidelined due to a groin injury sustained earlier this month. The Tigers have an otherwise fit roster to choose from.
Hull have shown good form in recent weeks, and they will hope to keep it going. With just two games left, nothing short of six points will do. The Tigers are expected to line up in a 4-4-2 formation that is freely flexible when needed.
Ryan Allsop should start in goal behind a back four of Regan Slater, Alfie Jones, Jacob Greaves, and Matty Jacob. Jean Michael Seri and Tyler Morton should hold the fort in the middle of the park, with Jaden Philogene and Abdülkadir Ömür providing the width.
Fabio Carvalho has been an inspired addition and should start up front alongside Liam Delap. With potential new Liverpool boss Arne Slot likely to deploy a similar formation at Afield, Reds loanees Carvalho and Morton will be keen to showcase what they can do.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Allsopp; Slater, Jones, Greaves, Jacob; Omur, Morton, Seri, Philogene; Carvalho, Delap
Ipswich Town
In a significant boost for Ipswich Town’s promotion aspirations, both George Hirst and Wes Burns have returned to training this week following their respective hamstring injuries. Their availability provides a welcome lift to the squad ahead of the crucial fixture.
However, Manchester United loanee Brandon Williams remains sidelined for Ipswich Town, with his recovery ongoing. Kieran McKenna is expected to put out his side in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Vaclav Hladky in goal. He should be protected by the backline of Axel Tuanzebe, Luke Woolfenden, Cameron Burgess, and Leif Davis.
Sam Morsy and Massimo Luongo should form the double pivot, with Omari Hutchinson and Nathan Broadhead providing the width. The impressive Conor Chaplin should be deployed as the number 10, while Kieffer Moore should return to the playing XI.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Hladky; Tuanzebe, Woolfenden, Burgess, Davis; Morsy, Luongo; Hutchinson, Chaplin, Broadhead; Moore
Key Stats
- A loss on the night will see Hull City make it three consecutive defeats for them against Ipswich Town.
- Ipswich Town have kept just one clean sheet in their last 18 visits to Hull City.
- A win on the night will see Hull City win consecutive games at home for just the second time this season.
- A win on the night will see Ipswich Town win 27 EFL Championship games this season, a record tally for a side that just gained promotion to the second tier.
Player to Watch
Leif Davis
The 24-year-old wing-back, who joined Ipswich Town from Leeds United in 2022, has proven to be an invaluable asset to the squad. Davis’s impact has been particularly evident in his impressive tally of 17 assists, a tally that is second only to Harry Wilson’s tally of 19 in 2021/22.
Davis’s influence extends beyond mere statistics, as he is a regular source of outlet on his side of the pitch. Having drawn blanks recently, Ipswich Town will be banking on Davis to reignite their attacking flair.
Prediction
Hull City 1-2 Ipswich Town
Neither side will be lacking for confidence, and Hull City are expected to begin the game well. However, Ipswich Town know they can make history and have just two more games to go to ensure the campaign ends on a high. With spirit mattering as much as ability at this stage of the season, The Hard Tackle expects a hard fought 2-1 win for the visitors.
