- Ipswich have failed to win five of their last seven home fixtures
- Birmingham have lost only one of their previous nine matches against Ipswich
- Recommended bet: Birmingham or draw double chance

Ipswich have come through the other side of their winter wobble and approach Saturday's clash at home to Birmingham with the aim of registering a fourth successive victory.

The Tractor Boys climbed into third place after Tuesday's dramatic 4-3 success at home to Rotherham, which was sealed by a 95th minute strike by substitute Omari Hutchinson.

Kieran McKenna's side have been strong at home, taking 37 points from 16 games, but they were given a massive scare in midweek and will be wary of Birmingham, who appear to be moving away from relegation danger.

The Blues triumphed 2-1 at home to Sunderland last Saturday and have opened up a six-point gap to the drop zone.

Team news

Ipswich striker George Hirst has not featured since suffering a serious hamstring injury in late December.

Changes are expected after the below-par performance against Rotherham, and attacker Nathan Broadhead will probably be towards the front of the queue in terms of pushing for a recall.

Birmingham are expected to be without Alex Pritchard (calf) and George Hall (hamstring). 

Alfie Chang (knee) is a long-term absentee.

The stats

Ipswich's 33 league matches have generated 109 goals, which is the highest of any club in the Championship.

The Tractor Boys have won their last three matches, but they have kept only one clean sheet in nine fixtures since a 0-0 draw at Stoke on New Year's Day.

Birmingham have registered back-to-back league wins for the first time since October, but each of the Blues' last seven fixtures has generated fewer than four goals.

Birmingham have lost only one of their last nine fixtures against Ipswich.

Prediction

Ipswich were slightly fortunate to escape with a 4-3 victory from Tuesday's fixture at home to Rotherham, but their luck could run out when they take on in-form Birmingham at Portman Road.

There was a huge sense of relief from the Ipswich players and supporters after Omari Hutchison's injury-time winner against the Millers.

But the result masked a poor performance from Kieran McKenna's side, who were outshot 13 to 11 by the division's basement boys.

Shaky defending has been a feature of several of Ipswich's recent performances, and solutions will need to be found if the Tractor Boys are to stay up with the automatic promotion pace.

Birmingham are sure to have taken note of the shortcomings that were evident on Tuesday and they should fancy their chances of succeeding where Rotherham failed.

The Blues have collected a respectable 10 points from their last six games and can add at least one more on their trip to Suffolk.

Back Birmingham or draw double chance at 8/5 with LiveScore Bet

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