Ipswich Town

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Relegation-battling Charlton Athletic host promotion-chasing Ipswich Town in a vital encounter at both ends of the Championship table on Wednesday night (kick-off 19:45 BST).

The Addicks are six points above 22nd-placed Oxford United before the midweek round of fixtures and a win would put them on the brink of safety.

If the U's lose to Wrexham on Tuesday evening, Charlton would need just a point to guarantee safety, while if Oxford draw, victory would see Nathan Jones' side survive.

The Tractor Boys currently occupy the second automatic promotion spot but could be leapfrogged by Millwall or Southampton - or both - by the time they kick-off at The Valley.

Kieran McKenna's side also have a game in hand on the chasing pack and even a draw at Charlton would keep their fate in their own hands.

• Following their 3-0 win in October, Charlton are looking to complete the league double over Ipswich for the first time since 2001-02 in the Premier League.

• Ipswich have failed to score in five of their previous eight league games against Charlton, but have netted 14 goals in the three games they have found the net (4-0, 4-4, 6-0).

• Charlton have lost five of their past six home league games (W1) including each of the previous three; they last lost four in a row in February 2024.

• Ipswich, who lost their most recent away league game 2-0 at Portsmouth, are looking to avoid suffering successive away defeats in the Championship for the first time since April 2019 (run of three).

• Ipswich have only won one of their five league games against newly promoted sides this season (D2 L2), failing to win either of their away matches so far (1-1 v Birmingham, 3-5 v Wrexham).

After a controversial late penalty helped Ipswich rescue a point at home to Middlesbrough to return to the top two, with a game in hand, on Sunday, we asked what you thought of Town's automatic promotion chances ahead of a run of three away games in six days.

Here are some of your views:

Tom: After Sunday's result I feel like we are destined for play-offs. We simply don't have a good enough number 9, it's what has let us down all season. Neither Hurst or Azon are strong enough to keep the other out of the team. If we still had Delap, we would be promoted by now.

Eric: I am confident that Ipswich will claim the second spot, but I am less confident that any team in the Championship would survive in the Premier League for more than one season.

Beattie: Ridiculous schedule, but the quality of the squad will overcome that, and Town will deservedly be promoted.

John: Guaranteed promotion this year for Ipswich. They'll find it tricky again next year and will come straight back down. McKenna will be gone, and the owners will be looking to offload. You get what you wish for.

Jon: Looking at the other promotion contenders, we are most likely going to need to win three out of the last four fixtures. With one of these being at Southampton, it's going to be tricky. I think it will go down to the last day of the season.

Kevin: I would have preferred a win obviously, but a point against a team who had to win realistically was good. West Brom could be safe by the time we play them, Southampton away will be tough but, again, they have to win realistically. I would rather be in our position than any of the others.

Matt: We achieved a deserved point. All the Ipswich haters will moan about the penalty, but we are second with a game in hand. We have some great players, but I still don't think McKenna knows his best team. We have two world beaters in Philogene and Clarke, but they can't play together. We will get over the line. Just.

Simon: Still in the box seat, which means everyone else is chasing. A win against Boro would have nailed it, but not to be. One game at a time. Believe.

Martin: West Brom and Charlton away are massive games and really tough. They are both fighting for survival, and the Baggies in particular have really turned a corner. I feel a positive result against Southampton will be crucial.

Yestin: I think we are doomed to play-offs and a semi-final loss in these. The lack of a quality striker has stood out for three seasons. Also, Nunez looked fantastic before his injury, but now?

How are you feeling about Ipswich's automatic promotion chances after salvaging that late point against Middlesbrough, Town fans?

You still have that game in hand and your destiny is in your hands, but three away games in the space of six days - at Charlton, West Brom and then red-hot Southampton - will surely decide your fate before the final-day visit of QPR.

Do you think you can last the course or was three points a must against out-of-form Boro? Will it all hinge on the trip to St Mary's or are there other potential banana-skins awaiting, like Portsmouth last Tuesday?

Click here to have your say.

Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna believes his side deserved a penalty in the final moments of a turbulent 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough, which sees the Tractor Boys back up to second in the Championship.

"Bit surprised about how many questions I've had about [the penalty]," McKenna told BBC Radio Suffolk.

"To me, the ball's going across the face of goal and [Adilson] Malanda pulls George Hirst back as he's running in there."

Ultimately the result was decided in the 87th minute when Jack Clarke converted from the spot to equalise in a game which "ebbed and flowed" and had constant momentum shifts.

"Really, really good first-half performance. Really dominant against a side who have been dominant in almost every game they've had in the last few months," McKenna said.

"Started the second half OK, disappointed that they get the goal and then the momentum went to them for 15-20 minutes.

"I certainly wouldn't have taken a point in the first half or before their second goal, but at 2-1, where the game was at that point, I probably would've shook on it," he added.

Ipswich will travel to Charlton on Wednesday (19:45 BST) before trips to West Bromwich Albion and Southampton. They then host Queens Park Rangers on the final day of the season, ending a run of four games in 11 days.

"We know we've got a massive spell now, certainly we've put ourselves in a good position but three away games in six days at this stage of the season is tough," said McKenna.

"We're in a good position but we know it's going to take an incredible effort from here."

Image source, PA Media

Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna expects to face one of their toughest challenges of the season on Sunday despite Middlesbrough's indifferent form of late.

Boro have not won any of their past six Championship games but McKenna does not believe the downturn reflects the quality of Kim Hellberg's side.

"We know we're facing a really strong opponent on Sunday, they've been stylistically one of the dominant teams in the league over the last few months - but they've also dropped a lot of points," he said.

"What their form is coming into a game often doesn't matter when you get a top team against another top team.

"They've been a good team for a few years and have added to it well in the last couple of transfer windows - and they've had good managers who have come in and added their own piece to it.

"They're one of the teams, and there haven't been too many, who will come and try and play their game.

"We will give them our full respect, we expect a really big challenge but we believe in ourselves and in our stadium know we're a formidable team to play against as well."

Second-placed Ipswich will have full-back Leif Davis back in the squad after missing Tuesday's 2-0 defeat at Portsmouth.

"He probably hasn't had as many minutes over the last few weeks as he'd want but he should be nice and fresh. We're going to need a big output from Leif," McKenna added.

Wales international Wes Burns is again likely to be unavailable because of a calf injury, while Azor Matusiwa will be assessed as he continues to recover from a dead leg, having gone off in the 58th minute against Portsmouth.

Ipswich Town's quest for automatic promotion took a hit after Tuesday's shock 2-0 defeat at Portsmouth which meant the race for second place is back on.

The Tractor Boys currently occupy the second spot now only two points ahead of Millwall and three in front of both Southampton and Sunday's opponents (12:00 BST) Middlesbrough.

Pompey were also the side to deal a blow to Boro's top two hopes after Kim Hellberg's side fell to a 1-0 home defeat last Saturday, but Ipswich's defeat at Fratton Park leaves the door ajar.

With Boro picking up just one win in their past six games, three points at Portman Road could go a long way in securing a play-off place.

• Ipswich have won just one of their last 10 league games against Middlesbrough (D3 L6), a 2-0 away win in December 2023.

• Middlesbrough are unbeaten in their last four away league games against Ipswich (W2 D2), having been winless in their previous nine visits to Portman Road (D4 L5).

• Ipswich have lost the fewest home matches in the Championship this season (1/21), and are unbeaten in their last 15 home league games (W10 D5).

• Since the start of March, Middlesbrough have only scored 11 goals from 19 xG in the Championship – this is the biggest underperformance of any side in this period (-8). They failed to score in the defeat to Portsmouth last time out, despite having 20 shots and hitting the target eight times.

• Riley McGree has been directly involved in eight league goals for Middlesbrough this season (5 goals, 3 assists), and could equal both his most goals (6) and goal involvements (9) in a single Championship campaign (both from 2022-23).

Earlier we asked what you thought of Ipswich Town's chances of automatic promotion from the Championship after Tuesday's shock defeat at Portsmouth, with big games to come against Middlesbrough and red-hot Southampton, who are in the thick of the fight to finish in the top-two.

Here are some of your responses:

Paul: We need 10 points from five games. No reason to panic. We'll beat Boro on Sunday - it's the away form that could be our downfall. Too many times we've failed to match the work rate and intensity of our opponents on our travels.

Andrew: It's in our own hands. Do the team think it's worth fighting for? On last night's performance the answer is no!

Daniel: I'd say we're still favourites. Boro look unlikely to turn around their woeful form, and if we can beat them, then we'll be in a great position. Southampton are a great side, but realistically, they'd need to go 16 games unbeaten, 10 straight wins, to feasibly have a chance to beat us to it. And if they do that, then honestly, there's not much we can do but respect it, and prep for the play-offs. Either way, five games to go, onwards and upwards!

Steve: Ipswich have needed a proven striker all season! I cannot understand why they have not pushed to sign one! To be honest, Ipswich have been very lucky to be where they are at the moment. They have been so unconvincing all season. And struggling to dominate teams all season! The Portsmouth result was a disaster, a win there and on Sunday against Middlesbrough would have set us up perfectly and they could have afforded to lose at Southampton at the end of the month! I think Southampton at the moment would destroy Ipswich!

Martin: I still feel Ipswich will very much finish in top two.

Bobby: No plan B when subs are made, there's no change to the way we play, too predictable, when teams get in our faces we crumble (Wrexham). A very different team to the one that got promoted. Southampton to get automatic promotion!

Alan: We've not hit any sort of consistency of performance all season. Results have been more ground out this time round rather than fluent and fast football, apart from games where we've done it for a half only. The squad is exceptional, we should really be level if not above Coventry. I think we've enough in the tank left to sneak 2nd spot still, but Southampton are now the real threat. Can't see us getting anything at St Mary's, so it has to be wins elsewhere, we are capable and should do that.

Simon: In our present position we need 11 points from 5 games with games against two other promotion candidates amongst the fixtures. We are in the box seat! We have the manager and players to achieve automatic promotion. Focus on one game at a time. We probably won't win every game and nor will the other teams. Believe.

Matt: We are still the pole sitters. After a big emotional game (at Norwich) on Saturday, the trip to Portsmouth was always going to be a banana skin. A loss last night might just have done the lads a world of good.

David: Squeaky bum time, must start playing our strongest team at all times, not keep changing it.

Rob: Ipswich are only in the top two due to teams such as Boro and Millwall faltering. The form has been anything but promotion worthy. Now Southampton are showing what a promotion worthy team should play like, and I can't see anyone stopping them, including us. It's not really clicked and too much squad rotation has left us needing more to get over the line. The lack of quality shown against some lower opposition despite the funding is a real concern.

Fergal: Southampton to finish second. Ipswich to win play-off final. We lost out on automatic promotion by not having a quality front man all season.

What a few days it's been for the Tractor Boys.

Derby delight at Carrow Road and returning to the automatic promotion places as Millwall and Middlesbrough faltered on Saturday afternoon.

Then going on to lose one of Town's two games in hand at Portsmouth on Tuesday night to not only miss the chance to narrow the gap on leaders Coventry in the title race, but also leave the door ajar for the Lions, Boro, and fast-finishing Southampton, now all three points behind.

With games against Middlesbrough to come on Sunday (12:00 BST) and a trip to Southampton looming on 28 April, things are definitely getting interesting.

So, Town fans, are you still feeling confident? What do you think you need from the final five games to ensure an immediate return to the top flight?

Click here to have your say.

Image source, Shutterstock

Ipswich Town goalkeeper Christian Walton insisted there was no hangover from last weekend's East Anglia derby win against Norwich following Tuesday evening's 2-0 defeat at Portsmouth.

Despite the result, Town remain second in the Championship, two points clear of Millwall in third and with a game in hand on their automatic promotion rivals.

"On the night there wasn't much in the game - I don't think they carved us open," Walton told BBC Radio Suffolk.

"Coming out on top in all the duels, the second balls, winning first contacts from their goal-kicks, it's just the small details in games that make a massive difference and we probably came up short on those.

"Everyone enjoyed Saturday and that was a really good team performance - we wanted to replicate that tonight and we didn't.

"It's naive to think we're going to win every game to the end of the season and play amazing, with perfect performances. There's always going to be bumps in the road but we're looking forward to Sunday now."

Ipswich are at home to fifth-placed Middlesbrough at Portman Road next, but then have to travel for three successive games, the last of them at Southampton - who are currently fourth - on 28 April.

"They're all big games. In terms of our performance, we need to go into it [on Sunday] with the character and belief that we have in all the games," said Walton.

Ipswich Town head coach Kieran McKenna said that his side "did not quite hit the levels" required in their 2-0 defeat to Portsmouth at Fratton Park.

The Tractor Boys started the game well but ended up conceding twice just before the break and failed to find the target in the second half.

Despite defeat they remain in the automatic promotion places, 10 points behind leaders Coventry City, but now two points ahead of Millwall and three in front of both Southampton, who beat Blackburn 3-0, and Middlesbrough.

Ipswich still have a game in hand and play both Boro and Saints before the end of the season.

"We spoke after the Norwich game that that wasn't the pinnacle, especially when we're playing teams with massive motivations of their own," McKenna said.

"Every game is going to be harder and it's gong to take a monumental effort to get the three points - we didn't quite hit the levels tonight but we have games ahead to look forward to, to do it.

"Any game you lose you're disappointed and at this stage of the season you're disappointed, so it's too easy to link it to Saturday because whatever happened on Saturday this was going to be a tough game."

Image source, Opta

Portsmouth got back to winning ways last time out with an impressive 1-0 victory at promotion-chasing Middlesbrough.

A victory over another promotion hopeful in Ipswich on Tuesday (20:00 BST) would put four points of daylight between them and Oxford United in 22nd.

At the top end of the table, Ipswich Town will look to extend their unbeaten run to 10 games, having not lost since a 5-3 defeat by Wrexham in February.

A win would put the Tractor Boys five points clear of third-placed Millwall with a game in hand.

• Portsmouth are winless in each of their last five league games against Ipswich Town (D2 L3), since a 2-1 home win in League One in March 2021.

• Ipswich won 2-1 at Portman Road in the reverse fixture with Portsmouth in September this season and could now complete a league double over Pompey for the first time since 2011-12 under Paul Jewell.

• Portsmouth are winless in each of their last nine midweek Championship games (D3 L6), since beating Cardiff City 2-1 in February 2025. Pompey have failed to score in four of their last five midweek games.

• Ipswich Town have won only one of their last six Championship away games (D2 L3) and could lose back-to-back league matches on the road outside of the Premier League for the first time since December 2021 in League One.

• Portsmouth's Colby Bishop has scored more goals in the Football League against Ipswich Town than any other opponent (six goals – three for Accrington Stanley, three for Pompey).

Image source, BBC Sport

Ipswich Town had to replace substitute Marcelino Nunez to protect their 2-0 East Anglian derby win at Norwich City, according to boss Kieran McKenna.

The midfielder made his first return to Carrow Road since leaving the Canaries to join Ipswich in August 2025 and was given a hostile reception by the home fans.

Nunez was introduced as a 61st-minute replacement but after being shown a yellow card was substituted with six minutes remaining.

"It was a difficult scenario for him, we protected it a little at the start but he's such an important player for us so when he came on the opponents were going to be wiring into him and trying to affect him physically and mentally," said McKenna

"The crowd were also going to try to get him sent off if he made challenges but would it have been such a big thing in a different game? I don't think it would have been."

With Norwich supporters howling for free kicks every time Nunez made a tackle he was hauled off and replaced by Dan Neil with McKenna keen to help not just the player but also his team.

"I thought the referee stayed strong but we couldn't give him any more decisons to make so we had to protect Marcelino and the group from that which is why we made the change," he added.

Ipswich moved back into second place in the Championship table with the win and visit Portsmouth on Tuesday (20:00 BST).