Preview: Portsmouth vs. Ipswich Town - prediction, team news, lineups

The previous two meetings have resulted in a win apiece after Ipswich claimed a 3-2 league victory in October, while Pompey recorded a 2-0 win in the EFL Trophy last month.

Match preview

Portsmouth are finding victories hard to come by in League One after failing to win any of their last seven league matches.

Five of those seven games ended all square, including their Boxing Day meeting with Exeter City, which resulted in a goalless draw.

Pompey are currently sat in 11th place, with five points separating them from the playoffs, although they have two games in hand over Derby County, who sit in sixth position.

If they are to move up the league table then they need to improve in the final third after failing to find the net in their last four league games.

Pompey lost for the first time at Fratton Park this season in their most recent home game, and with six of their 10 home league matches ending all square, Danny Cowley will be keen for his side to start converting draws into victories.

Meanwhile, Ipswich Town are currently two points adrift of league leaders Plymouth Argyle, while they are two points better off than third-place Sheffield Wednesday.

After a seven-game unbeaten league run was brought to an end by a 1-0 away defeat to Wycombe Wanderers, Ipswich returned to winning ways against Oxford United on Boxing Day.

Freddie Ladapo and Wes Burns both got on the scoresheet in the first half, before Conor Chaplin scored in the 81st minute to wrap up a comfortable 3-0 victory.

Ipswich's ability to find the net with ease has played a large role in their success this season, with the Tractor Boys currently the league's highest scorers after racking up 44 goals in 23 games.

They have also fared well on their travels, winning seven of their 11 away matches in League One, while only Sheffield Wednesday have picked up more away points than Ipswich in the third tier this term.

Portsmouth League One form:

D

D

D

L

L

D

Portsmouth form (all competitions):

W

W

L

W

L

D

Ipswich Town League One form:

D

W

D

W

L

W

Ipswich Town form (all competitions):

L

W

D

W

L

W

Team News

Portsmouth are expected to be without the services of Louis Thompson, Jayden Reid, Tom Lowery and Joe Rafferty due to injury issues.

Zach Swanson returned from a spell on the sidelines to feature as a substitute against Exeter, and he could be brought into the starting lineup.

Meanwhile, Conor Ogilvie dropped down to the bench on Boxing Day, but he may replace Denver Hume in the side for Thursday's contest.

As for the visitors, they will be unable to call upon Panutche Camara, who will be out of action for a few months after undergoing surgery on an adductor injury.

Janoi Donacien, Luke Woolfenden and Marcus Harness all returned from injury to start against Oxford, and the trio are set to retain their places in the side, with Kieran McKenna expected to name an unchanged lineup.

Ladapo will lead the line for the visitors, and the forward will be looking to add to the seven league goals he has scored this season.

Portsmouth possible starting lineup:

Griffiths; Swanson, Raggett, Robertson, Ogilvie; Dale, Tunnicliffe, Pack, Hackett; Pigott, Bishop

Ipswich Town possible starting lineup:

Walton; Donacien, Woolfenden, Burgess; Burns, Evans, Morsy, Davis; Chaplin, Harness, Ladapo

We say: Portsmouth 1-2 Ipswich Town

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