Ipswich and Portsmouth look to put their inconsistencies behind them ahead of clash at Portman Road

Both Ipswich and Portsmouth have underperformed in many games so far this season, but the two sides find themselves in third and fourth place respectively ahead of their League One clash.

The Tractor Boys sit just three points off second place Lincoln, although the Imps have a game in hand that could see them further consolidate their position in the automatic promotion spots.

They head into Saturday’s match having won just one of their last four league games, including two devastating home losses to their promotion rivals. Paul Lambert’s side completely crumbled in their defeats to Hull and Charlton, losing 3-0 and 2-0 respectively. The Scotsman will have been livid that, despite having more than 60% possession in both games, his side couldn’t muster a single goal.

The ship has somewhat steadied in recent games, with Ipswich picking up four points from their last two games. They earned a hard-fought draw away to struggling Oxford, before coming from behind to defeat Plymouth at Home Park in their most recent game.

Portsmouth, on the other hand, have had mixed fortunes throughout November. They disappointingly dropped points against Plymouth and Oxford, before succumbing to a 1-0 defeat away at Blackpool. However, Kenny Jackett’s side have shown glimpses of the Pompey side we’ve seen in recent seasons, as can be seen in their convincing wins against Crewe and Peterborough.

That sets up an interesting dynamic for their match at Portman Road, with the home side desperate to prove that they’re better than they’ve shown in recent weeks. Lambert clearly likes to set up his teams to dominate games, but their attacking threat leaves much to be desired.

Winger Gwion Edwards is the club’s top scorer, with five goals in all competitions, but he hasn’t found the back of the net since their 2-0 win against Accrington in mid-October. The Tractor Boys’ three strikers (Oliver Hawkins, James Norwood and Kayden Jackson) have mustered just one goal each this season.

With 2,000 Ipswich supporters returning to Portman Road for the first time since March, the pressure will be on Lambert and his side. Fans have been very vocal on social media about the lack of entertaining football, and although their league position isn’t bad, they won’t struggle to make their voices heard if the result doesn’t go their way on Saturday.

Jackett was under even greater pressure after Portsmouth’s disastrous start to the season saw the club languishing around the relegation zone. His side now occupy a playoff spot, despite some rocky recent form, and all focus will be on turning those occasional draws and losses into wins. Fans will be desperate to avoid the playoffs after recent heartbreak, but a defeat on Saturday could see them drop seven points off the automatic promotion spots.

A lot of focus will be on their vastly improved attacking play. Ipswich set out as a solid defensive unit who want to keep the ball and dominate the game. Portsmouth, on the other hand, are incredibly fast going forward and look to bring both their attackers and their midfielders further up the pitch. As a result, striker John Marquis has ten goals to his name this season. Wingers Marcus Harness and Ronan Curtis, as well as defensive midfielder Tom Naylor, have six each themselves.

On paper, this is set up as an evenly matched top-of-the-table clash. But Portsmouth, despite being behind their opponents in League One, are the side riding a higher wave of confidence. A trip to Portman Road won’t faze them, even with 2,000 fans in attendance, as they know a win will keep them within touching distance of the top two.

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