Southampton have claimed 26 points from the last available 30
Ipswich have won just one of their last four matches
Recommended bet: Southampton to win
Southampton saw their FA Cup dreams ended by Manchester City at Wembley over the weekend, but they have no time to dwell on that defeat as they face a crucial game against promotion rivals Ipswich at St Mary's on Tuesday.
Saints know a win will give them a chance to secure automatic promotion on the final day of the season if results go their way, anything less will mean they go into the lottery of the Championship play-offs.
Town are second in the table and a win will all-but secure promotion due to their superior goal difference.
The Tractor Boys will remain second going into the final round of games, where they host QPR, irrespective of the result on Tuesday.
The latest Southampton vs Ipswich odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Team news
Southampton will be without the suspended Flynn Downes, while Jack Stephens is a doubt due to a calf issue.
Boss Tonda Eckart may be tempted to make a few changes to his starting XI after the FA Cup defeat, with Shea Charles and Cyle Larin among those pushing for recalls.
Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna may also make a couple of changes after his side were held to a 0-0 draw at West Brom last time out, so Marcelino Nunez and Jaden Philogene could come back into the starting side.
Leif Davis is unlikely to feature for the visitors due to a hamstring injury.
The stats
Southampton are unbeaten in 11 at home across all comps (W8, D3).
Seven of Ipswich's eight Championship defeats this season have come away from home.
Town have won just two of the last 13 head-to-head meetings between these two sides.
The latest Southampton vs Ipswich odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
Southampton performed valiantly against treble-chasing Man City in the last four of the FA Cup and, if they are able to refocus quickly, they look good value to overcome a faltering Ipswich side in midweek.
The Tractor Boys have won just one of their last four games, with two draws and they have also failed to sore in two of those games.
Saints are comfortably the Championship's form team with 26 points from their last 10 games, five more than champions Coventry have claimed in the same period and nine more than Ipswich.
Eckert's side have been exceptional at their St Mary's home, with five wins and a draw in their last six home league games, while they dumped Arsenal out of the FA Cup at this venue in the quarter-finals.
Ipswich have been the better team over the course of the season, but they have started to wobble as they close in on promotion.
The fact they know that they can afford to lose this game and will still remain second is another factor, as Saints know only a win will do if they are to stand any chance of going up without coming through the play-offs.
Southampton's form and home record suggests they can take the three points on Tuesday as they look to keep their push for a top-two finish alive going into the final round of games.
