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

The Tractor Boys come into this match on the back of a dramatic victory over Portsmouth, whereas the visitors will be looking to get back on winning terms following a home defeat to Derby County.

Match preview

Ipswich have made a promising start to 2022-23 and are currently second in League One.

Possessing the youngest manager in all of the Football League, Kieran McKenna has made a strong impact on the sidelines cultivating a distinct brand of attacking football since taking over in December 2021.

This season, he has turned his side into genuine title contenders following a strong early season run of form.

In 11 matches, Ipswich have won seven, drawn three and lost just once, which came against fellow hopefuls Plymouth Argyle just over a week ago in a narrow 2-1 defeat. Other than that, there have been so many positives to take from a productive start to proceedings.

Before the defeat in Plymouth, Ipswich had been on a nine-match unbeaten run in League One amassing six wins along the way.

They are the highest scoring team in the division, netting 22 goals from their 11 fixtures, with attacking outlets Conor Chaplin and Marcus Harness on a particularly fine run of form in recent months, chipping in with 10 goals between them.

Last weekend, they got back to winning ways in a vital 3-2 victory at home to promotion-hunting Portsmouth as goals from Harness, Freddie Ladapo and Wes Burns cancelled out a Colby Bishop double from the penalty spot.

Coming up against Cambridge on their home turf on Tuesday night will be another stiff test that the Blues will hope to navigate as they seek a return to Championship football come the end of the season.

On the other hand, Cambridge will be hoping to take a step closer to some of their own promotion aspirations when they travel to Portman Road.

Mark Bonner's men have been the definition of a mixed bag in 2022-23, winning five, losing five and drawing one of their 11 matches as things stand.

Nevertheless, they sit just four points outside the playoff spots and will be hoping to progress closer to that target as the season rolls on.

Mainly, their inconsistency has come from defensive areas, with the 10th-placed U's posting the fifth-worst defensive record in the division.

Somewhat out of form, they have lost three of their last four league matches, with a 2-1 triumph away to Morecambe in September being the only exception.

In their latest installment of English third-tier football, the U's were well beaten at the Abbey Stadium by Derby County, who are eighth in League One. Frustratingly for Cambridge, a double from James Collins was enough to condemn them to a second defeat in a row at home.

Looking to get back to winning ways, a trip to Suffolk to face an in-form Ipswich side will be a strong test of their character.

Ipswich Town League One form:

D

W

W

D

L

W

Ipswich Town form (all competitions):

W

W

D

W

L

W

Cambridge United League One form:

W

W

L

L

W

L

Cambridge United form (all competitions):

W

L

L

W

W

L

Team News

Cameron Burgess will miss out for Ipswich as they take on Cambridge due to a facial fracture that has kept him out of the last four matches.

Elsewhere for the hosts, Samy Morsy is at risk of suspension following his accumulation of four yellow cards across the season, while Freddie Ladapo may be handed a start owing to his goalscoring prowess against Portsmouth.

Visiting side Cambridge have no real injury concerns ahead of their away clash in Ipswich, and James Brophy could be utilised from the off after dropping to the bench on Saturday.

Fejiri Okenabirhie may be given his first league start of the season after recovering from an Achilles tendon rupture.

Ipswich Town possible starting lineup:

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

Cambridge United possible starting lineup:

Mitov; Williams, Rossi, Jones, Dunk; Digby, May; Brophy, Lankester, Tracey; Okenabirhie

We say: Ipswich Town 3-1 Cambridge United

In another game of high stakes in League One, both Ipswich and Cambridge will be vying to claim another important three points for slightly differing reasons.

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