Ipswich Town vs Birmingham City; Sky Bet Championship
Ipswich Town vs Birmingham City. Sky Bet Championship.
Portman RoadAttendance17,248.
Ipswich vs Birmingham preview
Friday 12 April 2019 14:11, UK
Ipswich boss Paul Lambert will again check on several players as the Championship's bottom side look to stave off relegation.
Midfielder Cole Skuse (knee) missed the midweek defeat at Brentford, which left Town 14 points from safety with just five games left.
Defender James Collins could return after being rested, while Gwion Edwards (groin) and midfielder Jon Nolan (Achilles) are also being monitored. Will Keane (hamstring) and forward Ellis Harrison (back) both continue their rehabilitation.
Birmingham brought David Davis into midfield for Wednesday's 1-1 draw against Sheffield United Dutchman Maikel Kieftenbeld is facing up to nine months on the sidelines to recover from an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Jota is pushing for a starting place after coming off the bench for the last 30 minutes against the Blades. With no fresh injury concerns, veteran midfielder Craig Gardner is another option should Blues boss Garry Monk look to freshen up his side.
Opta stats
Ipswich Town are unbeaten in seven home league matches against Birmingham City (W4 D3 L0) since losing 0-1 in December 2008.
Birmingham have lost just once in their last seven Championship games against Ipswich (W3 D3 L1), a 0-1 defeat on the opening day of the 2017-18 campaign.
Ipswich will be relegated from the Championship if they fail to beat Birmingham, ending a run of 16 consecutive seasons in the second tier.
Birmingham City's last 13 league goals have all been scored by English players.
Ipswich's tally of 22 league defeats this season is their most in a season since losing a club record 29 games in the 1994-95 Premier League campaign.
Birmingham have won none of their last 62 away league matches when falling behind (W0 D12 L50) since a 3-1 win at Doncaster Rovers in April 2014.
Prutton's prediction
David Prutton predicts: 1-2 (17/2 with Sky Bet)
