Ipswich vs Portsmouth Prediction: Town defence should stand firm against Pompey

Ipswich turned on the style to thrash Sheffield United 5-0 in their last Championship home fixture and they welcome Portsmouth to Portman Road on Saturday (15:00 BST).

Kieran McKenna's men were trailing 1-0 at Blackburn last weekend before the game was abandoned in the 79th minute due to a waterlogged pitch. Portsmouth suffered a surprise 2-0 home defeat to troubled Sheffield Wednesday and they are aiming to bounce back against the ante-post title favourites.

Football Odds

Team News

Ipswich are still missing the injured Conor Townsend and Wes Burns, while centre-back Jacob Greaves is suspended due to his red card at Blackburn. Cedric Kipre should replace Greaves alongside Dara O'Shea at the heart of the Tractor Boys' defence.

Portsmouth will assess the fitness of winger Josh Murphy, but Conor Shaughnessy has joined goalkeeper Nicolas Schmid, Callum Lang, Harvey Blair and Thomas Waddington on the sidelines. Ipswich loanee Conor Chaplin is ineligible to face his parent club.

Today's Football Fixtures

Ipswich vs Portsmouth Odds

Ipswich are 8/15 to beat 5/1 visitors Portsmouth  at Portman Road and the draw can be backed at 16/5.

Three of Ipswich's first six league and cup matches this season have ended 1-1 and that outcome is a 7/1 chance in the correct-score betting.

Ipswich to win to nil @ 6/4

Ipswich were a popular ante-post selection in the Championship but they have made a patchy start to the campaign, claiming only six points from their first five matches.

They were outstanding in their last home game against Sheffield United, however, racking up 11 shots on target in a 5-0 rout of the Blades.

Town winger Jaden Philogene scored a hat-trick and Ipswich's defence limited their visitors to just two shots on target.

The hosts can claim another victory to nil against Pompey, whose last away fixture was a goalless draw at south-coast rivals Southampton.

They followed up that positive point with a disappointing 2-0 home defeat to Sheffield Wednesday and may struggle to land a blow on the Ipswich defence.

Bet Builder - Under 3.5 goals, George Hirst to score & John Swift to be shown a card @ 17/2

Ipswich cut loose against the Blades in their last home game, but under 3.5 goals looks a solid Bet Builder selection on Saturday.

Portsmouth's first six Championship matches have produced only nine goals, although Ipswich striker George Hirst is worth backing to breach Pompey's defence.

Hirst scored one and set up another against the Blades and is likely to be on penalty-taking duty, having equalised from the spot at Birmingham in the opening game of the season.

Seven Derby players were booked in their 2-2 draw with Ipswich at Portman Road last month and Pompey midfielder John Swift may well add to his card collection against the Tractor Boys.

Swift has been cautioned in each of his first three away games this season and could be penalised again as he tries to disrupt the home side's rhythm.

Offers

Acca Flex: Place a pre-match 5+ leg Football accumulator and get a CASH bonus up to 100% if all of your selections win or your money back as CASH if one leg lets you down