Preston vs Ipswich
English League Championship
Date: Saturday, 28 January 2017
Kick off at 15:00 UK / 16:00 CET
Venue: Deepdale Stadium, Preston.
After producing a poor first-half performance when trailing 2-0 at Aston Villa on Saturday with a controversially awarded penalty responsible for one of the goals, Preston responded by scoring twice during the second period to earn a much deserved 2-2 draw which ensured that they remain unbeaten in league action this year. The Lilywhites have also lost just one Championship contest at Deepdale since the beginning of November and beat Brighton 2-0 in their previous outing at the venue.
Calum Woods (knee) remains sidelined at Preston with John Welsh (calf), Alex Baptiste (knee) and Jordan Hugill (knee) further injury concerns. Ben Pearson will be available after completing a two-match ban, but Greg Cunningham will serve the second game of his equivalent suspension.
Although visitors Ipswich have claimed three league victories since mid-December, their current inconsistency has been underlined by losing both away games in Championship action this year and also their recent elimination from the FA Cup by National League team Lincoln. The Tractor Boys registered just two shots on target during a 2-0 defeat at Huddersfield on Saturday and Thomas Lawrence has netted all but one of their five league goals during 2017 and both FA Cup strikes.
Adam Webster (ankle ligaments) is a long-term injury victim at Ipswich and he is joined on the sidelines by Luke Hyam (knee surgery), Jonathan Williams (shoulder surgery), Myles Kenlock (calf) and Giles Coke (knee surgery), but Teddy Bishop (ankle), Tommy Smith (back) and David McGoldrick (hamstring) are nearing a return to action. Toumani Diagouraga has been signed on a loan deal from Leeds for the rest of the season with ex-Newcastle defender Steven Taylor also joining the club for the remainder of the campaign. It has also been confirmed that Leon Best will not be available.
Ipswich have lost four of their five latest away games in Championship action but did claim a 3-2 victory at Wigan during December when scoring a very late winner. The Tractor Boys will visit a Preston team becoming difficult to beat as proved by just two losses incurred since the beginning of November plus a narrow defeat by Arsenal in an FA Cup tie. Preston could claim a third league win this year from this match.
Preston vs Ipswich: Head-to-head stats
Ipswich are unbeaten in the last three matches against Preston with 2 wins and 1 draw. The latest meeting between the two at Portman Road on September was a 1-0 win for the Ipswich.
North End lost 1-2 in the corresponding home fixture of last season against Ipswich. At the same time, they had won in each of the previous 4 and were unbeaten in 10 home games.
Preston vs Ipswich: Prediction
Ipswich away form coming into this match is not that great and this could work in favour of Preston, who are in good spirits following the win against Brighton and draw against Aston Villa. Preston to win is priced at 1.95 and this is arguably the best pick for this fixture.
Meanwhile, Ipswich were losing at half time in 5 of their last 7 away games in the Championship. The HT/FT bet for Preston is offered at 3.30, which is a risk worth taking.
Preston vs Ipswich: Bet Tips
FT – Preston to win at 1.95 (10/11)
HTT/FT – Preston/Preston at 3.30 (23/10).