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

However, the Tractor Boys are playing a resurgent Bluebirds outfit that have reignited their small playoff hopes with three successive victories.

Match preview

Aside from their indifferent spell either side of the turn of the year, Ipswich have arguably been the most impressive side in the Championship this season.

Bouncing back from posting just two wins from 11 games in all competitions with a six-match winning streak in the Championship has kept them with realistic hope of lifting the title, not just earning automatic promotion.

Kieran McKenna's side are posting all kinds of different wins, following success and a clean sheet at Plymouth Argyle with a dramatic 3-2 triumph over Bristol City at Portman Road.

Ipswich were behind on two occasions, as well as that being as late as the 77th minute, but two goals in the final 10 minutes secured a potentially-pivotal win in the promotion race.

Although Leeds United remain hot on their tails, McKenna may only have eyes on overtaking leaders Leicester City, the Foxes remaining only three points ahead.

While Ipswich are the clear favourites to overcome their Welsh hosts, they are facing Cardiff at a time when Erol Bulut's side have gotten back on track.

Not since October had Cardiff managed to win two matches in a row, but they now have 10 points from a possible 12, keeping three clean sheets in the process.

Victories have been posted against Stoke City, Bristol City and Huddersfield Town, Cardiff also conceding just once in their last 373 minutes of football.

A playoff bid remains unlikely - Bulut's side are seven points adrift with 10 games left - but the door will remain open if they can record a surprise win at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Cardiff City Championship form:

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L

D

W

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Ipswich Town Championship form:

W

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Team News

Bulut could decide to select the same Cardiff XI that battled their way to a 1-0 victory over Huddersfield.

However, the Turkish boss does have alternatives with Ollie Tanner, Rubin Colwill and Yakou Meite all pushing for recalls.

Kion Etete remains doubtful, while Jak Alnwick and Mark McGuinness are both confirmed absentees.

McKenna called on the cavalry to edge out Bristol City and he could take the opportunity to freshen up his Ipswich side.

Jack Taylor, Wes Burns, Jeremy Sarmiento and Ali Al Hamadi all made positive impressions as substitutes in the previous game and are in contention.

Nathan Broadhead may also be available after a recent injury.

Cardiff City possible starting lineup:

Horvath; Ng, Phillips, Goutas, Wilson-Ebrand; Wintle, Ralls; Bowler, Turnbull, Grant; Diedhiou

Ipswich Town possible starting lineup:

Hladky; Tuanzebe, Woolfenden, Burgess, Davis; Morsy, Taylor; Burns, Chaplin, Sarmiento; Moore

We say: Cardiff City 1-2 Ipswich Town

As two of the form teams in the division, we expect a fiercely-competitive contest to play out at the Cardiff City Stadium. The home side will push hard for three points with draws no longer any use to them, but that may allow Ipswich to snatch a winner in the closing stages.

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