Middlesbrough are unbeaten in their last four away games
Ipswich have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last three home fixtures
Recommended bet: Middlesbrough or draw double chance
The battle for second place remains wide open and a key skirmish takes place at Portman Road on Sunday with Ipswich hoping to extend their three-point advantage over promotion rivals Middlesbrough.
Kieran McKenna’s side passed a major obstacle last Saturday when winning 2-0 away to Norwich, but they were soon brought crashing back down to earth by a 2-0 midweek loss at relegation-threatened Portsmouth.
The Tractor Boys were strangely subdued at Fratton Park where they mustered just two shots on target and finished with an xG of 0.78.
Ipswich will be keen to play with a lot more purpose against Boro, who defeated them 2-1 in the reverse fixture at the Riverside Stadium.
Middlesbrough held a top-two position for large parts of the campaign but they are going through a rough patch (six games without a win) at the worst possible time.
Time is running out for Kim Hellberg’s side, who need a positive response after last Saturday’s 1-0 loss at home to Portsmouth.
The latest Ipswich vs Middlesbrough odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Team news
Wes Burns has missed the last four matches for Ipswich with a calf injury and Ashley Young, Conor Townsend and David Button remain out of contention.
Anis Mehmeti and Jaden Philogene were restricted to substitute roles for Tuesday’s visit to Portsmouth but both are pushing to return to the starting XI.
Key midfielder Hayden Hackney has missed Middlesbrough’s last four games and is still a major doubt.
Jeremy Sarmiento, Matt Targett and Alex Bangura face late tests but Morgan Whittaker is expected to be available.
Alfie Jones, Darragh Lenihan and Leo Castledine are longer-term absentees.
The stats
Ipswich’s last four league losses have been by a two-goal margin.
Nine of Ipswich’s last 10 games have featured less than four goals.
Middlesbrough have scored two goals or more in six of their last eight away fixtures.
Boro have started the scoring in four of their last six away games.
Middlesbrough’s last three wins have come on their travels.
The latest Ipswich vs Middlesbrough odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
Middlesbrough are fed up with playing well and falling short but they can change the dynamic of their season by taking at least a point in East Anglia.
Boro boss Hellberg sees the contest as crucial with regards to the race for automatic promotion and there is every chance of a decent outcome for his side, who have delivered some of their best performances in tough away games.
Boro’s away wins include notable triumphs at Millwall (3-0), Hull (4-1), Sheffield United (2-1) and Birmingham (3-1) and their slick, possession-based style could give them the edge over Ipswich, who are accustomed to dominating the opposition on Suffolk soil.
Ipswich were knocked out of their stride in Tuesday’s loss at Portsmouth and their week could be about to get worse.
Back Middlesbrough or draw double chance at 13/20 with LiveScore Bet
The latest Ipswich vs Middlesbrough odds are available on LiveScore Bet
