Championship: Ipswich Town v Bristol City

NPower Championship

Ipswich Town (5th) v Bristol City (21st)

Saturday 28th August 2010 – 3pm

Ipswich Town will be looking to record their first home win of the season when they host Bristol City at Portman Road on Saturday. The Tractor Boys have already won both of their away matches as Roy Keane’s side have got away to a great start in this new campaign.
They dismissed Gordon Strachan’s Middlesbrough on the opening day 3-1 at the Riverside, then drew with Premiership-relegated Burnley 1-1, and then last weekend won again on the road at Crystal Palace 2-1 to remain unbeaten in their first three.

Head-to-head, Ipswich Town have the wood over The Robins, winning six of their last ten meetings, with the last three fixtures between the two sides ending in draws.

It’s rumoured that Keane is restricted to loan signings, something which may become more prevalent in the near future for a lot of clubs now that the threat of administration has reared it’s ugly head at various clubs recently – but he’s secured the services of Wigan striker Jason Scotland on a season-long loan. If Scotland can replicate his Championship form that he achieved with Swansea City, Ipswich will be in a very strong position.

Bristol City have found the start of their new season a little traumatic with the sudden departure of new manager Steve Coppell early in the piece, and this has obviously not helped matters as their opening results suggest;  a 0-3 loss at home to promoted Millwall, a 1-1 draw at Doncaster Rovers, then a 3-3 draw against Barnsley (a game The Robins would surely have won with Coppell in charge?), and they find themselves one point above the relegation zone – but it’s ridiculous to mention relegation at this early stage.

Caretaker manager Keith Millen has made a couple of interesting signings recently though; Bournemouth striker Brett Pitman and former Ipswich Town hit-man Jon Stead have joined the west country outfit in a bid to turn around their fortunes.

And I’m sure these signings will have the desired effect, but will take time to bed down in the new style of play. It will also be interesting how Stead does against his former employers should he figure in Saturday’s squad.

The verdict:  I’m confident that Bristol City will quickly turn things around, but their new signings will need time to gel. I’m therefore backing Ipswich Town to get their first home win of the season.

Pick:  Ipswich Town @ 1.91 with Pinnacle Sports