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

While the Tractor Boys occupy second place, the visitors are currently languishing in 18th position after failing to win any of their last seven matches.

Match preview

Ipswich will be in a confident mood after they made it 14 league games without defeat on Saturday when they claimed a resounding 6-0 victory over Charlton Athletic.

Conor Chaplin netted a hat-trick to put Ipswich in complete control before the scoring was wrapped up by Freddie Ladapo's nine-minute brace and Leif Davis's stoppage-time effort, ensuring that the Tractor Boys have now won nine of their last 10 matches.

Sheffield Wednesday's defeat to Burton Albion allowed Ipswich to move up from third position and into the automatic promotion places.

With Ipswich now one point better off than Sheffield Wednesday, who have played a game more, they will be gaining belief that they can end their four-year stay in League One.

Kieran McKenna's side will head into Tuesday's contest in exceptional home form, after winning their last six home matches by a combined 23-0 scoreline.

Port Vale are being dragged towards the relegation zone after their winless run was extended to seven matches with a 3-2 defeat to Lincoln City on Saturday.

Lincoln took the lead in the dramatic encounter, but they were reduced to ten men when goalkeeper Carl Rushworth was given a straight red card, allowing Port Vale to make full use of the numerical advantage, with Matty Taylor scoring from the penalty spot before Daniel Butterworth gave his side the lead in the 33rd minute.

However, there was still time in an eventful first half for Tom Conlon to be given his marching orders prior to Ben House's equaliser, and matters got worse for the Valiants in the second period when Sam Robinson received a second yellow card in the 80th minute before Adam Jackson scored a late winner to condemn nine-man Port Vale to a third defeat in four matches.

With four games remaining, Vale, who sacked Darrell Clarke on Monday, are six points clear of the drop zone, but they have played a game more than Cambridge United, who are currently sitting in 21st place.

Having failed to win their last eight away games, the Valiants will be looking to claim their first away victory since New Year's Day when they face Ipswich on Tuesday.

Ipswich Town League One form:

W

W

W

W

D

W

Port Vale League One form:

L

D

L

L

D

L

Team News

Ipswich are still unable to call upon the services of George Edmundson, Lee Evans and Tyreece John-Jules, who are all sidelined with injury issues.

After coming off the bench to score a brace against Charlton, Ladapo could be rewarded with a place in the starting lineup.

Chaplin took his tally to 22 league goals with Saturday's treble, and the second-highest scorer in the division will be looking to continue his fine form when he lines up against Port Vale.

As for the visitors, they are still unable Funso Ojo and Dennis Politic, who are currently serving their respective suspension periods.

Conlon and Robinson are also suspended for Tuesday's contest after the pair were both sent off in the 3-2 defeat to Lincoln.

After featuring as half-time substitutes on Saturday, Rory Holden and Ellis Harrison are in contention for starting berths.

Ipswich Town possible starting lineup:

Walton; Clarke, Woolfenden, Burgess, Davis; Morsy, Luongo; Burns, Chaplin, Broadhead; Ladapo

Port Vale possible starting lineup:

Stone; Forrester, Smith, Donnelly; Holden, Worrall, Pett, Benning; Butterworth; Harrison, Taylor

We say: Ipswich Town 3-0 Port Vale

Ipswich have been in imperious form in recent weeks, and after winning their last six home games without conceding, we think that they will breeze past a Port Vale side that have lost their last two away matches.

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