Tractor Boys back on track ahead of Friday night Birmingham battle
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After inflicting a first defeat of the Championship season on Leeds United on the road in midweek, Ipswich Town are now back on track following two losses and next host Birmingham City in their bid for automatic promotion.
The Tractor Boys have won their previous three meetings with the Blues at Portman Road, and are undefeated against them in their last seven both home and away, which is why they are the odds-on favourites at 20/23 with Coral for victory.
This duo, though, have leaked their fair share of goals this term so far, so Mick McCarthy’s Ipswich are a more tempting 11/4 to triumph and both teams score.
Freddie Sears bagged a brace last time out, as the Suffolk side ran out 4-2 winners, and the former West Ham United and England Under-21 forward, who has four strikes already this campaign, is 6/1 to net two or more again. He is 7/4 in the anytime market, meanwhile.
One surprising scoring shout is Scotland international defender Christophe Berra, who has three goals in the last two seasons against the Blues, so is an enticing 15/2 chance.
Daryl Murphy, who has netted in this fixture before, and Tommy Smith, who got the winner against Leeds, are 7/4 and 13/2 respectively in the same market.
Birmingham (7/1 for victory), who have played one game less than their upcoming opponents in the league, will be hoping the likes of Clayton Donaldson and David Davis can score against Ipswich again, having done so last term. They are respective 5/2 and 13/2 anytime chances.
Barcelona’s La Masia product and Arsenal-owned Jon Toral, meanwhile, is hoping to add to his tally of two goals this campaign. The attacking midfielder loanee scored against Reading and Burnley, and is 3/1 to find the net again.
Gary Rowett’s men have the chance to leapfrog Ipswich in this Friday fixture, being two points behind, which would also put them in the play-off places. A draw, though, at 5/2 is more likely.
Coral’s betting tip: Ipswich and Birmingham have leaked in goals this term, so back the former to win and both teams score at 11/4.
