Ipswich vs Millwall Prediction: Expect goals in key Championship clash

Ipswich and Millwall are gunning for promotion from the Championship and the fact they sit two points behind second-placed Middlesbrough should ensure an entertaining lunchtime clash when they lock horns at Portman Road on Saturday (12:30, live on ITV1, Sky Sports Main Event/Football).

Read on for my Ipswich vs Millwall predictions, as well the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

The Tractor Boys will be without Cedric Kipre and Leif Davis, both of whom are suspended while Marcelino Nunez is doubtful with a hamstring issue. Veteran Ashley Young (muscle) and Conor Townsend (knee) have both been ruled out.

Millwall have Zak Sturge available after his recent red card was rescinded, but they will be missing Casper De Norre (groin), Alfie Doughty (thigh), Daniel Kelly (hamstring), Lukas Jensen (quad) and Massimo Luongo (knee).

Ipswich vs Millwall Odds

Ipswich are 8/13 favourites to take three points from Saturday's game while Millwall are 4/1 to come out on top with the draw available to back at 3/1.

Over 2.5 goals is a 4/5 chance while it is 5/6 for both teams to score at Portman Road.

Ipswich striker George Hirst is 4/1 favourite to score the game's first goal, closely followed by his team-mates Chuba Akpom and Ivan Azon at 9/2.

Over 3.5 goals @ 21/10

Millwall and Ipswich shared a goalless draw in their last meeting, but there have been more than three goals on six of the last eight occasions they have got together and there looks a strong chance Saturday's clash could be another high-scoring affair.

The Tractor Boys have won nine of their last 11 league games at Portman Road, but Millwall stand beside them two points behind Middlesbrough who occupy the second automatic-promotion spot, and they will fancy their chances after posting victories in their last four away league games against Hull, Preston, Sheffield Wednesday and Wrexham.

So Ipswich may not be the strongest favourites to support and preference is for there to be goals.

The home side have scored at least twice in six of their last eight league games and Millwall have found the net more than once on five of the last six occasions they have been in action on the road.

The prize is there for the brave to take and positive play can be rewarded, so take a chance there will be at least four goals in the contest.

Jaden Philogene to score at any time @ 15/8

Jaden Philogene has had his season disrupted by a knee injury that has kept him out for the last couple of months, but the Ipswich forward made a welcome return as a substitute in Saturday's 2-0 win at basement boys Sheffield Wednesday and can build upon that reappearance.

He had hit a rich vein of form before injury struck in a win over Blackburn in the middle of January as he scored four goals in the preceding seven matches, so he can be expected to hit the ground running, which could spell bad news for the Lions.

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