Ipswich vs Middlesbrough Prediction: Stalemate expected at Portman Road

A crunch clash in the Championship promotion race takes place on Sunday as Ipswich Town host Middlesbrough at Portman Road (12:00 BST, Sky Sports Main Event). The hosts are second in the table but Boro are just three points behind them.

The Tractor Boys still have a game in hand but they were beaten in midweek against Portsmouth. Read on for my Ipswich vs Middlesbrough predictions, including the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

Ipswich are missing Conor Townsend (knee), David Button (hamstring) and Ashley Young (thigh) due to injury.

Kieran McKenna is expected to restore Jaden Philogene and Ben Johnson to the starting XI after both began the Portsmouth defeat on the bench. Anis Mehmeti may considered to replace Marcelino Nunez, too.

Football Odds

Hayden Hackney, Middlesbrough's key man, could miss out again due to a muscle issue. Leo Castledine is also struggling with a similar problem.

After six games without a win in the league, Kim Hellberg could consider making a few alterations for this crunch clash.

Ipswich vs Middlesbrough Odds

Ipswich are 5/4 to make it four wins from six matches in the Championship.

Two of their past three home games have ended level, with the stalemate here marketed at 5/2.

Middlesbrough are a 2/1 bet to complete the league double over the Tractor Boys.

At least one team has failed to score in Ipswich's past two outings in the second tier, with BTTS - No priced at 11/10 on this occasion.

Today's Football Fixtures

Match Result - Draw @ 5/2

Coventry City have already secured one promotion spot and now there is just one remaining for an automatic jump to the Premier League. Ipswich are currently in the driving seat as they are second and have a game in hand on the teams below them.

However, after a flat performance and defeat, their could be cracks showing in McKenna's side. Boro will pose a test for them but the visitors are winless in six, which has dealt a blow to their own promotion hopes.

Although, they are just three points behind Ipswich heading into this game, so this is a fixture in which they need a result. I'm not convinced either side can win this one, so I am covering the draw.

This has been the outcome in two of the hosts' last three home games, while Boro have recorded stalemates in their past two away trips in the second tier.

Total Goals - Under 2.5 @ 1/1

While this is a hot contest on paper, I'm not expecting their to be too many fireworks. I can see this match lacking for goals because neither team will want to lose, and in Boro's case, it has been a while since they managed a victory.

Under 2.5 Goals is priced at 1/1 (implied probability of 50%) and it has landed in four of Ipswich's previous five outings in the Championship.

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