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

The hosts are in 23rd place, having acquired just 25 points from their 27 games up to this point, while the visitors are up in third, just four points shy of the automatic promotion places.

Match preview

Cambridge's very poor record in front of goal is largely to blame for their disappointing season so far, having scored just 23 goals, the joint-fewest of any side in the third tier, and they have shown little sign of improvement recently.

The U's have won just one of their last 10 games in all competitions, scoring just two goals in their last five matches, and to make things worse they have been on the receiving end of some very heavy defeats.

Four of the Amber Army's last five matches have been away from home, losing 5-0 at Sheffield Wednesday and 5-1 against Shrewsbury Town, having previously looked fairly solid at the back considering their league position during their matches in 2022.

As such, Mark Bonner will be happy that his side are back on home soil, where they have fared pretty well against some of the better teams in League One this season, holding league-leaders Plymouth Argyle and fifth-placed Bolton Wanderers to 0-0 draws.

Last time out, the U's again picked up a clean sheet, this time away at Lincoln City, a result that means they are behind 20th-placed MK Dons on goal difference alone, but they also have a game in hand at their disposal.

Ipswich are going strong in their bid to return to the Championship for the first time since the 2018-19 season, more than in with a shout of automatic promotion and perhaps the title, considering they are only seven points behind Plymouth.

A prolific record in front of goal has been the key to the Tractor Boys' success, scoring on 53 occasions in 28 games, the highest total of any side in the third tier, running out resounding 4-0 winners against Morecambe in their last League One game.

Contrary to their opponents, Kieran McKenna's side are formidable away from home, picking up 25 points on their travels, the second-highest total in the division, although they did lose 1-0 away against Cambridge in the EFL Trophy earlier this season.

However, the reverse fixture in the league was a very different story, with Ipswich leaving it late but in the end running out 3-0 winners courtesy of a late goal from Tyreece John-Jules and a brace from Kyle Edwards.

The Tractor Boys had FA Cup responsibilities last weekend, playing host to Championship league-leaders Burnley, and they held their own for large parts of the match, with the game finishing 0-0, and a replay is now pencilled in for next Tuesday.

Cambridge United League One form:

W

L

L

L

L

D

Ipswich Town League One form:

W

D

D

D

L

W

Ipswich Town form (all competitions):

D

W

D

L

W

D

Team News

While Cambridge did not emerge with the three points in their last match, it was an improved showing, and so Bonner is unlikely to make too many changes to the starting XI.

Sam Smith is the U's' top scorer in League One this season with six goals, and he is poised to lead the line again alongside Joe Ironside, who has five goals to his name in the third tier.

Fejiri Okenabirhie is another option in attack, but he has only recently returned from a long injury lay-off, and he is more likely to feature as a substitute.

Ipswich made wholesale changes for their FA Cup tie against Burnley, and they are expected to revert to a more familiar starting lineup, with Freddie Ladapo coming in for George Hirst in the attack.

Elsewhere, Conor Chaplin is likely to return on the right-wing, having scored 12 goals in League One this season, the joint-third highest tally, with Kayden Jackson dropping to the bench.

Cambridge United possible starting lineup:

Mitov; Morrison, R. Bennett, Jones; L. Bennett, Digby, McGrandles, Brophy, Worman; Ironside, Smith

Ipswich Town possible starting lineup:

Walton; Clarke, Keogh, Edmundson; Burns, Evans, Morsy, Davis; Chaplin, Broadhead, Ladapo

We say: Cambridge United 0-1 Ipswich Town

Ipswich's away form coupled with Cambridge looking very poor in recent weeks means that there is only one way this game should go, with the visitors emerging as winners.

Given that the hosts have a decent record at home against some of the top teams in the league, it will not be an easy task for the Tractor Boys, so we anticipate them winning by a one-goal margin.

Previews by email