Football Bet of the Day: Ayling to get in a spot of bother at Portman Road

Sunday’s action is headlined by Manchester City vs Arsenal in the Premier League, but my attention turns to the Championship, where there is another key game at the top.

Ipswich host Middlesbrough at Portman Road in the race for second, and below you can find my Football Bet of the Day, which comes from this fixture.

Ipswich vs Boro Odds

Ipswich Town’s promotion hopes took a big blow in midweek as they lost 2-0 on the South Coast to Portsmouth, but they still have a game in hand on others in the race for second - including Sunday’s opponents Middlesbrough. 

It still is in their own hands, but this game on Sunday is gargantuan, there is absolutely no doubt about that. Boro’s own fall from grace has been startling to say the least. When they went to the CBS Arena to play Coventry in January, they were top of the table and had won six matches in a row under Kim Hellberg. 

However, they are now winless in seven, including losing 1-0 at home to Pompey last time out, with John Mousinho’s men having a major say in this promotion race. I honestly can’t call this game. 

Kieran McKenna called Sunday’s opponents “arguably the best footballing side in the division”, while Hellberg outlined the importance of his side going to Portman Road and winning: “You never know what can happen, but it’s easy to do the maths. We probably need to win to put ourselves in a good position to be second.

“If we do that, we’re in a good position again, that’s how it works, but I think everyone can do the maths. If we’re going to finish second, we probably need to win this game.”

I can’t call it - so instead of backing a match result in what should be an entertaining game, I’m exploring the bookings market. Luke Ayling has now picked up 10 yellow cards this season and tops the charts for Boro yellows. 

He is set to be involved and has a huge role to play in patrolling that back line, but I think Ipswich could target him and expose his defensive weaknesses. Ayling is never one to shy away from a fight and given the importance of this fixture for both teams, I believe the referee could have a tough time keeping control of the game. 

As a result, I’m backing Ayling to pick up another yellow card at 2/1, and that is my Football Bet of the Day for Sunday, April 19. 

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