As the season draws to a close, there are still four clubs left in the fight for automatic promotion to the Premier League. Ipswich are just behind Millwall, who have 80 points, while Middlesborough and Southampton are just four points behind on 76. The Tractor Boys sit in command as they have a game in hand across all three clubs; That match will be played on Tuesday against fellow promotion rivals Southampton.
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Ipswich come into this match in fantastic form, having lost one match in their last twelve, winning seven and drawing four. They also have no problem finding the net on the road, scoring in 18 of 21 away games this season. Town have been impeccable in the lead at half-time and have not lost a single game at half-time, winning fifteen and drawing two.
However, West Brom will hope to leave the promotion race open with a third consecutive league victory. The Baggies are currently nine unbeaten with five draws in that time. Despite the visitors’ strong scoring record, the Baggies have kept a clean sheet in their last four matches and have kept six in their last seven, conceding just two in that time.
Despite their form, safety is not guaranteed after the club received a two-point deduction for an alleged breach of the PSR’s profitability and sustainability standards.
A brilliant run of form of late has seen West Brom move away from the relegation zone. They sit in 20th place and six points ahead of Oxford in 22nd place with just two games remaining.
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Neither team has any fresh injury problems but Ipswich may be looking forward to Tuesday night’s important game at St Mary’s. Therefore, we could see some rotation before that game; However, all of Ipswich’s remaining matches are must-win matches if they are to book their place back in the Premier League.
In the first leg, Town claimed a 1-0 win at Portman Road. However, they have not won at the Hawthorns since March 1999 – a streak they will hope to end in Saturday’s early kick-off.
The match will take place on Saturday 25 April at 12:30 (UK time).