Ipswich vs West Brom Prediction: Moore to score in thriller?

Ipswich have been perched in the automatic promotion places for most of the season but they have dropped to fourth and will be keen to bring an end to a three-game winless run this weekend.

The Tractor Boys have had an uncertain start to 2024 and will be bracing themselves for a tough test against fifth-placed West Bromwich Albion, who have won four of their last six Championship matches.

Team news

Ipswich remain without striker George Hirst (hamstring) and defender Janoi Doncacien (groin) but on loan Bournemouth forward Kieffer Moore could make his first start for the club while central defender Cameron Burgess is back in contention after returning from his Asia Cup experience with Australia.

West Brom are missing defender Semi Ajayi, who is still on international duty with Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations, and injured midfielder Jayson Molumby (foot), who has been ruled out for the rest of the season, while Matt Phillips (hamstring) and Josh Maja (ankle) are long-term absentees for the Baggies.

Over 2.5 goals@ EVS

Ipswich’s 14 Championship home games have generated 56 goals, an average of four per game, and there is every chance of a high-scoring outcome when the Tractor Boys take on promotion rivals West Brom.

The trip to Portman Road will be a tricky challenge for fifth-placed Albion, but the midlands side head to the Suffolk coast with plenty of confidence after winning four of their last six Championship fixtures.

Carlos Corberan’s outfit could do with sharpening up in front of goal, having netted just once in their last three games.

But they have a few more attacking options to consider with Daryl Dike getting closer to full fitness and Bristol City loanee Andreas Weimann pressing for inclusion from the start after coming off the bench to score in last Saturday’s 1-0 success at home to Birmingham.

Albion have plenty of offensive quality in their squad and should cause a few problems for an Ipswich side which has failed to keep a clean sheet in their last five fixtures, suggesting attack may be the best form of defence for the hosts, who are the division’s third highest scorers with 53 goals.

14 of Ipswich’s last 16 home games have generated at least three goals and there is value in backing over 2.5 for this weekend’s clash.

Kieffer Moore to score any time @ 2/1

Ipswich needed a January replacement for injured centre-forward George Hirst and they chose wisely by sealing a loan move for Bournemouth target man Kieffer Moore.

The 31-year-old Welsh international is proven in the Championship and made an instant impact for the Tractor Boys by coming off the bench to score twice in last Saturday’s 3-2 defeat at Preston.

Ipswich might have to play a little more direct than usual to get the most out of Moore, who is excellent in aerial duels, but if they play to his strengths he is sure to be a success.

Kieran McKenna appears likely to hand Moore a start against Albion and there is every chance of the Welsh forward getting on the scoresheet again.

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