Ipswich vs Sunderland
18 December 1500hrs
Football – England – League One
Pick Both teams to score
Bookmaker Betway
Odds: 3/4 odds taken 2000 GMT, Monday 13 December
Ipswich and Sunderland were expected to challenge for promotion this season but it’s only the visiting team who are the ones living up to that billing as the two clash on Saturday.
Table of Contents
Ipswich Preview – Could struggling Ipswich get a much-needed win to keep themselves in the hunt for a playoff spot?
Paul Cook paid the price for his Ipswich team not being able to contest for the promotion of playoff spots despite being one of the favourites at the beginning of the season. Cook – who won League One with Wigan in recent years – was in charge at Portman Road for less than a year when leaving at the start of this month. His successor is yet to be named so John McGreal will likely take charge of this game.
McGreal has had to endure a pretty torrid time of it since taking caretaker charge. A loss to Charlton was at least followed by a hard-earned point away to Wigan but Ipswich exited the FA Cup after a 1- defeat to League Two side Barrow in the replay of their second round tie. Ironically, Cook’s final game in charge was the first meeting of the sides which ended in a goalless draw.
The Tractor Boys come into this match in 12th spot – a full 16 points behind leaders Rotherham. Perhaps more importantly for whoever takes charge is they are also nine points adrift of the playoff spots and that would be the only viable option for them now.
At home, Ipswich are actually one of the most resilient teams in the league. They’ve lost only twice at Portman Road but their five draws is the joint highest in the division and that has to change if they are to begin climbing the table.
Sunderland Preview – Can promotion chasing Sunderland keep pace with rivals?
Lee Johnson celebrates a year in charge of Sunderland this month and he knows the demands on him. If they fail to win promotion this season then it’s likely he will be out a job. Sunderland have been playing at this level for four years now. They continue to flirt with promotion without ever achieving it.
Johnson’s men finished fourth last season only to lose 3-2 on aggregate to Lincoln City. They are third heading into this weekend’s games, just two points behind the leaders.
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Their form coming into this game has been good and are now unbeaten in six league games with four wins during that time. They have been exceptional at home and have the best record in League One, but with four wins in 10 away games there is an obvious need to improve if they are to realise automatic promotion.
Many of their problems on the road stem from their defensive fragilities. The 19 goals they have conceded is the second worst in the top half and only three teams outside the bottom four have a worse record.
Ipswich vs Sunderland Betting Advice
Although you have to fancy Sunderland on current form and league placings, Ipswich have shown they are hard to beat at home with only Rotherham and Bolton departing Portman Road with three points. Sunderland are also much more vulnerable on their travels and do ship a lot of goals away from home.
It is the visitors who have the upper hand in recent meetings between the two, though. Sunderland are looking for a fifth straight win over Ipswich. And it could be one that takes them top of the table for Christmas time.
Key Facts – Ipswich vs Sunderland Betting Tip
- Ipswich have won just one of their last six league matches (2-1 at home to Crewe)
- Sunderland’s concession of 19 goals away from home is the second worst in the top half
- The visitors have won the last four meetings between the clubs
As only leaders Rotherham and their next opponents have scored more at home than Ipswich this season you fancy them to score here. Both teams to score has clicked in eight of their 11 home matches in League One, and I’m backing this to go the same way.
Best Betting Odds for Ipswich vs Sunderland
