The Championship seasons has been a tremendous watch this season for the neutrals and on Monday two of the contending four teams for those two automatic places go head-to-head at Portman Road. As the game takes place on April Fools Day, Russell Martin would be hoping to have the last laugh to avenge his side’s defeat earlier on this season.
Kick-off: 17:30pm
Location: Portman Road
Date: 1/1/2024
Recently relegated Southampton travel to face an Ipswich Town side who have certainly captured the main story within the Championship. The Tractor Boys have been unbelievable since their promotion from League One last season and they look set to repeat the feat of promotion and potentially the title as we enter the final phases of the season.
After 38 games there are four teams who could viably win the league. Ipswich Town are one of those teams and are currently in third place. The hosts are only a point behind league leaders Leeds United and a point behind Leicester City. The aforementioned latter team does have a game in hand over both Leeds United and Ipswich Town. Ipswich Town have an inferior goal difference to both of those sides.
Since his arrival, Kieran McKenna has led Ipswich Town on a revolution. Their brand of football swept through League One with ease and has since captured the attention of Championship clubs also. If McKenna leads his side to promotion, the former Manchester United coach will secure the tractor boys return to the Premier League – the first time since 2002.
Ipswich Town currently have 81 points from 38 games having won 24, drawn nine and losing on no more than five occasions. The vital statistic for Kieran McKenna is their consistency in front of goal. The hosts have scored 80 goals in the league this season which provides an average of 2.1 goals per game. Defensively however, they’ve conceded the second most within the top six with 49. Only local rivals Norwich City have conceded more with 54.
Southampton will be looking to avenge their loss over Ipswich Town earlier this season. The Saints – who were the hosts in the previous fixture – succumbed to a 1-0 defeat against their opponents at St. Mary’s. Russell Martin’s side are famed for their possession and despite having a larger share of the ball with 59%, Omari Hutchinson ensured all three points for Ipswich Town.
The visitors were touted as one of the promotion candidates from many experts and pundits at the start of the season and are still within contention despite what the table suggests. The Saints are willing to establish an immediate return to the Premier League and are currently in fourth place. They do remain nine points behind Leicester City, with a game in hand over the Foxes. A revenge victory over Ipswich Town would move Southampton five points behind their hosts with two games in hand. A defeat would reduce Southampton’s chances of automatic promotion.
After 36 games played, Southampton have 73 points and are the third highest scorers in the league behind Ipswich Town and Leicester City. Having scored 73 goals in the league, that gives them a healthy average of 2.1 goals. On the defensive front, they have the third worst defence in the top six with 47 goals conceded.
Championship 
