After a brief return to the Premier League, Ipswich Town have endured a slow start to life back in the Championship, collecting just six points from their first five matches. They went winless in their opening four league games before finally breaking through with a dominant 5-0 home win over Sheffield United.
Their momentum seemed to stall against Blackburn Rovers, where they went down to ten men and conceded via a Todd Cantwell penalty. However, heavy rain forced the match to be abandoned in the 79th minute, with the EFL ruling it must be replayed in full. That leaves Ipswich still chasing back-to-back league wins for the first time since May 2024 as they prepare to host Portsmouth at Portman Road.
Currently 17th in the table, Ipswich face a Portsmouth side sitting five places above them with two more points. Pompey have had a mixed start, recording two wins, two draws, and two defeats from their first six fixtures. After a goalless draw against Southampton, they slipped to a disappointing 2-0 home defeat to struggling Sheffield Wednesday, who picked up their first league victory of the season courtesy of goals from Barry Bannan and George Brown.
Portsmouth manager John Mousinho will be concerned by his side’s lack of cutting edge in attack, with Pompey yet to score more than once in a Championship game this season. That said, their away form has been steady — unbeaten in three road trips (W1, D2) — and they have a strong record at Portman Road, losing only once in their last six visits (W3, D2).
Form Guide
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Ipswich Town Championship form: D D L D W
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Ipswich Town (all competitions): D L D L D W
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Portsmouth Championship form: W L D W D L
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Portsmouth (all competitions): L L D W D L
Team News
Ipswich are still without Conor Townsend and Wes Burns, though the latter is nearing a return from a long-term ACL injury. Defender Jacob Greaves remains suspended following his red card, meaning Cedric Kipre is expected to partner Dara O’Shea at the back.
Portsmouth, meanwhile, remain without Nicolas Schmid, Harvey Blair, Callum Lang, and Thomas Waddingham. On-loan Ipswich forward Conor Chaplin is ineligible to face his parent club. Conor Shaughnessy is also sidelined after suffering a hamstring injury, while winger Josh Murphy faces a late fitness test on an ankle issue.
Predicted Lineups
Ipswich Town XI: Palmer; Furlong, O’Shea, Kipre, Davis; Matusiwa, Cajuste; McAteer, Akpom, Philogene; Hirst
Portsmouth XI: Killip; Swanson, Knight, Poole, Ogilvie; Le Roux, Dozzell; Segecic, Swift, Bianchini; Bishop
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