Match Preview: Ipswich v Pompey

All you need to know about League One test

11 December 2020

You do not have to cast your mind back too far to find the last time Pompey made the trip to Ipswich.

It was just five weeks ago when the Blues won a dramatic Portman Road contest to reach the second round of the FA Cup.

Sean Raggett was somehow not flagged offside and scored an extra-time winner after the hosts had fought back from two goals two.

But both sides would freely admit that there is a bigger prize at stake on Saturday – three precious League One points.

They are currently sitting side-by-side in the standings, with the Tractor Boys one place higher in third spot.

But Ipswich had only been victorious in one of five successive league matches before last weekend’s come-from-behind triumph at Plymouth.

And they have yet to draw on their own patch this season, securing six wins and being beaten just twice.

Those two losses did come in their most recent fixtures in Suffolk, however, with Hull (3-0) and Charlton (2-0) both escaping with a maximum haul.

The Covid-19 pandemic ensured there was only one league meeting between the sides last season, with Ronan Curtis netting the Pompey winner 12 months ago.

TEAM NEWS
Pompey have a fully-fit squad to select from, with Michael Jacobs returning to full training at the start of the week.

Ipswich are without Teddy Bishop (ankle), Flynn Downes (knee), Aaron Drinan (thigh), Liam Gibbs (hamstring) and Freddie Sears (hamstring).

Kane Vincent-Young is working his way back to fitness following an Achilles injury, but Saturday’s game probably comes too soon for the defender.

Oli Hawkins could come up against his former club, with the striker coming off the bench at Plymouth last week.

VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Read the thoughts of Kenny Jackett and Ryan Williams ahead of the game.

HEAD TO HEAD
Overall
Pompey: 14 wins
Ipswich: 19 wins
12 draws

At Portman Road
Pompey: 9 wins
Ipswich: 9 wins
5 draws

OFFICIALS
Referee: Thomas Bramall
Assistants: Anthony Da Costa and Darren Blunden
Fourth Official: Sam Purkiss

MATCH COVERAGE
Supporters in the UK can watch the action live – with graphics, commentary and replays – by purchasing a match pass for £10.

Subscribers will, as usual, be able to listen to listen to live commentary from Andy Moon and Guy Whittingham by signing into their account and visiting the match centre from 2pm.

Please note that subscribers based in the UK and Ireland will still need to purchase a match pass in order to watch the game live.

Click here for more information about using iFollow on a matchday and click here for information on downloading the app, so you can access content on your mobile device.

We will have updates throughout the game on Twitter and the match centre. You can also see behind-the-scenes content on our Instagram story.

There will be post-match reaction on the website and our official YouTube channel, with highlights to follow on Sunday.

Local listeners can hear commentary by tuning in to either Express FM or BBC Radio Solent.

BETTING
Pompey are the 6/5 favourites with VBET to secure all three points, while the hosts can be backed at 9/4.

Click here to find a comprehensive list of odds for Saturday's game. Please gamble responsibly.

ALSO IN LEAGUE ONE
All games kick-off at 3pm

Blackpool v Oxford
Bristol Rovers v Plymouth
Charlton v AFC Wimbledon
Crewe v Northampton
Doncaster v Gillingham
Hull v Shrewsbury
Lincoln v Sunderland
MK Dons v Burton
Peterborough v Rochdale
Swindon v Fleetwood
Wigan v Accrington

LAST MEETING

Match Previews

Match Reports

Ipswich 0 Pompey 2

Williams scores twice as Blues win at Portman Road

12 December 2020

Ryan Williams celebrates scoring for Pompey at Ipswich — Photo: Simon Davies

Ryan Williams bagged a brace as Pompey comfortably won at promotion rivals Ipswich to move to within a point of the top two.

The visitors were totally dominant in the first half, just as they had been when the sides met in the FA Cup last month.

And Williams scored his first two goals of the season before the break, completing a fine passing move and then firing home another.

Kenny Jackett unsurprisingly stuck with the same side that eased to victory against Peterborough on home soil the previous week.

But there was a welcome return to the bench for Michael Jacobs, who had not featured since injuring his knee at Sunderland seven weeks earlier.

Jack Whatmough just about managed to get a long ball back to Craig MacGillivray soon after the game got started.

But, that aside, the visitors were totally dominant in the opening exchanges, without being able to test their former loan keeper David Cornell.

A series of Lee Brown corners did cause trouble among the Ipswich back-line, but they managed to survive that period of pressure.

John Marquis came close to breaking the deadlock on nine minutes, but Cornell got down low to his left to push behind the striker’s curling shot.

The stopper’s poor clearance immediately put the Tractor Boys in a spot of bother and Alan Judge recovered well to stop Andy Cannon taking advantage.

Another good chance feel the Blues’ way midway through the first half, with Ronan Curtis blazing over after being found in the box by Marcus Harness.

And the hosts then almost broke the deadlock themselves, with Craig MacGillivray using his legs to deny Armando Dobra.

Pompey got the goal their overall play deserved on 29 minutes, however – and it was an absolute beauty that started with a throw.

A pass from Cannon was deftly flicked on by Williams for Harness, who drilled a low cross into the area from the right.

The ball was unselfishly laid off by Marquis and WILLIAMS made no mistake with his finish, rifling into the top corner to open his account for the season.

It almost got even better for the Blues when Brown’s delivery was missed by Curtis and Tom Naylor drove a shot wide.

They did have a second goal to celebrate just before the break, though, as Naylor’s long ball was nodded on by Curtis for WILLIAMS to drill home his second of the afternoon.

Half Time: Ipswich 0 Pompey 2

Williams then set up a great opportunity once the action restarted, whipping in a teasing cross that was nodded wide by Marquis.

He went closer soon after, heading against the crossbar when Curtis delivered a fine free-kick from the left.

A quick break at the other end led to a corner that was only partially cleared and Sean Raggett had to bravely fling himself into the path of a fierce effort from Dobra.

Pompey were forced to make a change just before the hour mark, with Brown picking up an injury and being replaced by Cam Pring.

It was soon the turn of Curtis to rattle the crossbar after Marquis had played the ball across to him on the edge of the area.

And Cornell then came to the Tractor Boys’ rescue, somehow managing to claw away a Raggett header that appeared destined for the net.

Ipswich made changes to try to find a route back into the contest, with former Blues striker Oli Hawkins among those to enter the fray.

Pompey were working extremely hard to protect their lead and still pose threats at the other end, with Williams a tireless presence all over the pitch.

And the Blues were even able to give a few minutes to Jacobs, who replaced Curtis for the closing stages.

Ipswich (4-1-4-1): Cornell; Chambers (c),Woolfenden, McGuinness, Ward; Dozzell; Dobra, Judge (Bennetts 61), Nolan (McGavin 33), Lankester (Hawkins 70); Jackson (Drinan 61)
Booked: Lankester, McGuinness, McGavin
Subs not used: Holy, Nsiala, Kenlock

Pompey (4-2-3-1): MacGillivray; Johnson, Whatmough, Raggett, Brown (Pring 59); Naylor (c), Cannon; Harness, Williams, Curtis (Jacobs 86); Marquis
Goals: Williams 29, 44
Booked: Curtis, Raggett, Whatmough
Subs not used: Bass, Nicolaisen, Close, Hiwula, Harrison

Referee: Thomas Bramall

Attendance: 2,000