• Only Coventry boast a better home record than Ipswich this season

• Preston have lost their last three games without scoring a goal

• Recommended bet: Ipswich to win & BTTS - No

Ipswich will aim to get back to winning ways and keep their automatic Championship promotion hopes alive when they play host to Preston.

Kieran McKenna's side slipped up when losing 3-1 at Sheff Utd last weekend, which left them five points adrift of second-placed Middlesbrough, albeit with a game in hand.

However, home comforts bring out the best in the Tractor Boys and they have turned Portman Road into something of a fortress this campaign.

They have won their last seven home matches and have not lost there since Charlton thrashed them 3-0 back in October.

Preston's own promotion hopes have been severely dented this month and it is now or never for them to bounce back after a 4-0 hammering at Boro last time out.

The latest Ipswich vs Preston odds are available on LiveScore Bet

Team news

Ipswich's biggest blow has been the loss of playmaker Jaden Philogene, who is set to be out until March with a knee injury.

Marcelino Nunez has also played a starring role but is currently sidelined by an ankle injury, while Chuba Akpom (groin) and Ashley Young (muscle) are also ruled out.

However, Town have bolstered their squad this month and Anis Mehmeti could be set for a start after coming off the bench against the Blades.

They have also brought in Dan Neil on loan from Sunderland for the rest of the season.

The Lilywhites have found discipline issues costly, with striker Milutin Osmajic and Jordan Storey serving suspensions after recent red cards.

Robbie Brady (calf), Aaron Hughes (Hamstring) and Daniel Iversen (groin) are likely to find it too early to return from their setbacks.

Key stats

Ipswich have lost just once at home this season and the Tractor Boys have won seven matches in a row at Portman Road.

Five of those victories included three or more goals, while Town kept clean sheets in four of those successes.

Preston have failed to score in their last four matches, including three consecutive Championship defeats.

The latest Ipswich vs Preston odds are available on LiveScore Bet

Prediction

Everything points in favour of Ipswich getting back on the winning trail against a Preston side completely out of sorts.

The Tractor Boys are on a ten-match unbeaten run at home and only Coventry have scored more home goals than the 29 they have netted this season.

They also have the joint-best home defence in the league too, having conceded just 11 times and have kept clean sheets against the likes of Bristol City and the Sky Blues recently.

While North End won the reverse fixture, their lack of threat in front of goal recently is a major concern.

Even though four of the last five times these two sides have met have featured three or more goals, Ipswich could be set to give their visitors a drubbing.

Back Ipswich to win & both teams to score - No at Evens with LiveScore Bet