please log in to view this image IPSWICH TOWN v WATFORD please log in to view this image Portman Road Stadium Wednesday 10th April 2024 Kick Off: 1945 BST please log in to view this image On the back of their thrilling 3-2 victory over Southampton, Ipswich were heavily fancied to defeat rivals Norwich City, even when falling behind in the first half. However, the anticipated turnaround did not come to fruition, with their East Anglian foes impressively resisting all that the Tractor Boys had to offer after the break to claim a 1-0 win. Ipswich deserve minimal criticism at this stage, a consequence of still having won nine of 11 matches and their fate being in their own hands. That said, losing at Carrow Road marked the first time in the Championship since New Year's Day that they have failed to score a goal. In the long term, this is a Hornets side that have performed drastically under par, winning just two of their last 14 encounters in the Championship. On both occasions, 1-0 triumphs have come at the home of relegated Rotherham United and struggling Birmingham City, yet Watford feel on the up under the guidance of caretaker boss Tom Cleverley. Following the win over Blues, draws have been posted against Leeds United, West Bromwich Albion and Preston North End, reducing any realistic chance of Watford being dragged into a relegation scrap. Mathematically, though, a nine-point advantage with five games left means that the job is not yet done, particularly when trips to Ipswich, Southampton and Middlesbrough are still on the schedule. Team News No new injuries to report, with Sema and Ngakia getting close to returning. Our Officials Sam Barrott please log in to view this image Mark Dwyer and Robert Hyde are due to be the assistant referees, with Dean Whitestone on fourth official duties.
I'm definitely not underestimating you ahead of tonight's game! You always seem to have the Hex over us in season's gone by apart from our fortuitous win at your place in December of course. I know you haven't got too much to play for now which makes you even more dangerous! There will be plenty of goals tonight that's for sure! Safe journey to those who are making the trip over from Hertfordshire.
I think we maybe do still have quite a lot to play for. To start with, our caretaker coach has come in and is making a decent job of steadying the ship. With fans saying that the entertainment has improved hugely under his guidance, and the team grinding out some unexpected draws, he no doubt would love to have the job on a permanent basis. Secondly, some of the players seem to now wish to be part of the team, whereas previously some didn't seem to care too much if they played poorly. Thirdly, the owners will want to end the season with the hope that next season will be better, as they want to sell the season tickets. Having said that, I will be very surprised if we get anything from this game. Ipswich will want to leapfrog Leeds and get back into the automatic promotion spots. I hope to be proved wrong again.
https://www.watfordfc.com/news/stats-buzz-ipswich-town-in-numbers-1 Interesting stats..... our away form is not bad.... (ish!)
According to Andrew French, Ipswich are the top scorers in the Championship when playing at home. Hope they forget where the goal is tonight.
Report from Andrew French. Just watching the players warm up, there is a session taking place with five 'defenders': Lewis at left-back, Andrews at right-back, Pollock/Hoedt/Porteous between them. So possibly 5-4-1?
Hive available to all tonight or www.fawanews.com/Ipswich%20Town%20vs%20Watford%20FC.html is working.
