Ipswich vs Reading preview
Friday 1 March 2019 11:17, UK
Bottom club Ipswich will be without striker Will Keane for the Sky Bet Championship clash against fellow relegation battlers Reading at Portman Road.
Keane, on loan from Hull, suffered a hamstring injury at Wigan which could keep him sidelined for around six weeks. Defender Jonas Knudsen is banned following his red card last weekend while James Collins (hamstring) and forward Ellis Harrison (hamstring) continue their recoveries.
Jack Lankester is set to see a specialist about his back problem. Forward Freddie Sears (knee), midfielders Emyr Huws (knee), Grant Ward (cruciate) and Tom Adeyemi (Achilles) are also still undergoing rehabilitation.
Reading remain without midfielder Andy Rinomhota, because of an ankle injury, for the trip to Suffolk. Forward Sone Aluko has moved to Chinese Super League side Beijing Renhe on loan for the rest of the year.
Royals boss Jose Manuel Gomes confirmed Iranian midfielder Saeid Ezatolahi had stepped up his recovery from a quad muscle injury, but was not yet back in contention. Anssi Jaakkola (Achilles) and Sam Baldock (thigh) continue their recoveries, along with forward Jon Dadi Bodvarsson (back).
Opta stats
Ipswich are unbeaten in their last four league games against Reading (W2 D2), scoring at least two goals in each meeting.
Reading haven't kept a clean sheet in any of their last seven league games against Ipswich, last managing one in February 2015 (1-0 win in the Championship).
Ipswich striker Will Keane has scored two goals in his last two league appearances - as many as in his previous 34 games combined.
Reading have won one of their last 26 away matches in all competitions (D10 L15).
Paul Lambert has won all three of his home league matches against Reading, winning with three different teams - Norwich City, Aston Villa and Blackburn Rovers.
In all competitions, Reading have scored just three goals in their last 11 away matches.
Prutton's prediction
If Ipswich are to have any hope whatsoever of a run to survival then this is an absolute must-win game for them. They are nine points behind Reading in 21st and if that gap gets any bigger then it is pretty much curtains for them.
Jose Gomes was clearly frustrated with his side's failure to hold on for the victory against Rotherham last week, but they need to forget that and focus on this match at Portman Road. This will be a nervy affair but I reckon Ipswich could sneak it and keep their hopes alive.
David Prutton predicts: 1-0 (13/2 with Sky Bet)
