Ipswich Town v Birmingham City – Preview

Team News

Ipswich have no new injury or suspension worries.

Blues will give late tests to Morgaro Gomis and Wes Thomas.

Reverse Fixture

Ispwich won 1-0 back in November through a goal by ex-Blue DJ Campbell. It was Mick McCarthy’s first game in charge. New Manager Effect strikes again.

Recent Form

Ipswich are 14th; three points behind Blues. They have won three and drawn two of their last three games. Their home record is mixed with nine wins and eight defeats.

Blues are 10th and have also won three and drawn two of the last six. Their last away defeat was against Hull at the beginning of March.

Outlook

So we are finally safe and can look forward to our last two games in a relaxed manner knowing there is little to play for. It’s very rare to be in this position for a Blues fan as we are usually always chasing promotion or fearing relegation. Now it’s just a case of whether we finish in the top half or not which would be deserved for our effort in the second half of the season. If only the first half hadn’t been so bad we would be pushing for promotion now. The way the team has gelled under Lee Clark is encouraging and bodes well for next season. It’s rare to hear someone calling for the manager’s head nowadays and there is generally more positivity about.   Now just to sort out the ownership issue.

Ipswich are also a team that have recovered from a bad start to sit comfortably in mid table. Their revival started with the appointment of Mick McCarthy who I expect Wolves are wishing they had never let go of. I’m sure the Dingles wouldn’t be plummeting to League One if they still had Mick in charge. They are on an almost identical run of form to us so the result of this game might be down more to the attitude of the players. Some may already be thinking of their summer holidays while others will be playing to ensure they are kept on or to get a move higher up the league. Managers often give fringe players a game at this stage of the season and I can see both teams doing that tomorrow.

Blues were probably a little lucky to get the win last weekend so changes could be made anyway. There is little point in risking half-fit players or those coming back from injury. Lee Clark will already be thinking about which players he will want to keep for next season so he may want to take a look at a couple. With a lot of players on loan or out of contract there will be a lot movement over the summer and hopefully it won’t be all out of St Andrews. A lot will depend on the ownership but it’s good to see that we can get people in with the signing of Andrew Shinnie from Inverness. He looks a good signing and we will need an attacking midfielder as I expect that West Ham will want Ravel Morrison back now that we’ve sorted him out. He has come on well over the last few months but will want to play in the Premier League next year.

With little to play for it’s difficult to make predictions but I’m not expecting too many goals. The game is probably secondary to a lot of the travelling support who will be enjoying the traditional last away trip of the season. I hope they all enjoy the day out.

My Prediction

Ipswich 1 Blues 1

C’mon you Blue Boys.

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