Ipswich v Barnsley preview
Monday 9 April 2018 17:23, UK
Ipswich skipper Luke Chambers will miss the home game against Barnsley after being ruled out for the rest of the season.
Defender Chambers cracked a rib in Saturday's defeat at Brentford and is not expected to feature again for boss Mick McCarthy, who will leave the club when the campaign is over.
Fellow defender Adam Webster is doubtful after sustaining a hamstring strain in training on Monday, so Barry Cotter could make his first appearance for the club. Forwards David McGoldrick (groin) and Joe Garner (minor skull fracture) are both recovering from season-ending injuries.
Barnsley have reported no new injury problems following Saturday's home win against Sheffield United. Boss Jose Morais is expected to choose from an unchanged squad as his side chase back-to-back league wins for just the second time this season.
Defender Matt Mills (ankle) and Mamadou Thiam both remain unavailable. Goalkeeper Nick Townsend is out for the remainder of the season after breaking a bone in his hand.
Opta stats
Ipswich are unbeaten in their last 10 league matches against Barnsley (W4 D6) since a 3-1 defeat in November 2010.
The Tykes are without a clean sheet in 16 league meetings with Ipswich, since a goalless draw in December 2007 - Heinz Muller was the goalkeeper for Barnsley that day.
Mick McCarthy is unbeaten in six home Football League matches against Barnsley, last losing in September 1995 as Millwall manager, a 1-0 defeat.
Barnsley are looking to secure back-to-back league wins for the first time since November.
David McGoldrick has scored in three of his last four league matches against Barnsley, scoring three goals.
Since making his debut for them in February, Oli McBurnie has scored 54% of Barnsley's Championship goals (7/13).
Prutton's prediction
It's a real shame that Mick McCarthy's five-year tenure at Ipswich is ending this way. Both the players and himself just look like they want the season to end as quickly as possible.
It's the time of year where you want to face sides with nothing to play for, and Barnsley will have real hope of picking up another big win here, like they did against Sheffield United on Saturday. But I fancy Ipswich to edge this one.
David Prutton predicts: 2-1 (9/1 with Sky Bet)
