The Blues have lost their previous two games in two different competitions, although they are now four points behind league leaders Plymouth. In fact, Kieran McKenna’s team fell 1-0 to Lincoln City at home on Saturday before falling to Cambridge United 1-0 on Tuesday night in the EFL Trophy.

Ipswich is now preparing for three consecutive league matches against Derby, Port Vale, and Charlton Athletic before the end of the month. They will also play Bracknell Town in the FA Cup to kick off November. Since a Championship match that ended in a 1-1 tie in February 2019, the Tractor Boys have not really met Derby.

Ipswich Town vs Norwich City is the most underrated derby in England.

The hatred in the clubs and their fans is more than most others, listed 2nd on the most fierce and 1st on the most aggressive atmosphere in the country. 50 miles apart means nothing at all. pic.twitter.com/KrsZ7ltHZE

— Peter (@Peter_Mahoney_) April 12, 2020

Prediction

Ipswich Town ties Derby County, according to us.

We anticipate a competitive game on Friday night because there isn’t a significant gap in quality between these two teams. Ipswich will want to cut the gap on league leaders Plymouth, but Derby ought to be capable of splitting the victory in this match.

Head to head

• Pswich manager McKenna will make significant adjustments from the team that faced Cambridge in the EFL Trophy match in Cambridgeshire.
• Conor Chaplin, who was inactive against Tuesday, will also be back in the lineup along with Wesley Burns, George Edmundson, and Freddie Ladapo.
• The home team still does not have Cameron Burgess, but McKenna’s team did not experience any new fitness issues last time out.
• David McGoldrick and Korey Smith were returned in the Derby lineup for the game against Accrington, and they both came in as substitutes in the team’s 3-0 victory.
• The two are in contention to make the starting lineup today after starting against Man City Under-21s on Tuesday night, although Jason Knight will need to be evaluated after suffering a knee injury in the EFL Trophy match.
• Since James Collins is still on the Rams’ suspension list, Osula should continue to play centre forward with Lewis Dobbin supporting him at the number 10 spot.

Lineup

Ipswich

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

Derby County

• Wildsmith
• Chester, Davies, Cashin
• Mendez-Laing, Knight, Sibley, Bird, Barkhuizen
• Dobbin
• Osula

Betting tips

Over 1.5 goals will be scored in this game, according to our professional tipster friends at Sportsunfold.