Middlesbrough and Ipswich will face off in a huge Championship fixture on Friday, 17 October, with both teams looking to pick up a win in their first games back since the international break.
Both teams are among the promotion challengers this season, and a win for Middlesbrough would see them return to the league's summit after being leapfrogged by Coventry before the break.
For Ipswich, this is a chance to break into the top six for the first time this season.
As part of this week's round of Championship betting tips, check out our Middlesbrough vs Ipswich prediction below.
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Middlesbrough vs Ipswich prediction: The visitors to take all three points
Key Stats
- Middlesbrough have failed to win each of their last three matches.
- Ipswich won 2-0 on their last visit to the Riverside Stadium.
- Both teams have scored in four of Ipswich's last five matches.
Correct score prediction: Middlesbrough 1-2 Ipswich
Ipswich have taken full advantage of the huge stroke of fortune they were given when their match against Blackburn was abandoned, and they now look close to the team that secured automatic promotion two seasons ago. Middlesbrough, on the other hand, are losing all of their early-season momentum.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Too close to call
- HOME: 17/10 (2.70) – 37%
- DRAW: 23/10 (3.30) – 30.3%
- AWAY: 6/4 (2.50) – 40%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
The Middlesbrough vs Ipswich odds indicate that we are in for a game of narrow margins on Friday night. Ipswich are considered the marginal favourites by Ladbrokes, who have given the Tractor Boys a 40% chance of victory. Meanwhile, Middlesbrough have been given a 37% chance of coming away with all three points.
You can find all our predictions for today's games on our football betting tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: Only a third meeting in seven years
It's easy to forget that Ipswich have spent much of the past decade in League One, so this is just the third time that these two teams have met since 2018. The two previous encounters in that timespan came during the 2023/24 season, with Ipswich winning 2-0 away from home before drawing 1-1 at Portman Road later on in the campaign.
England Championship 13/04/24
Ipswich
Middlesbrough
England Championship 09/12/23
Middlesbrough
Ipswich
England Championship 29/12/18
Middlesbrough
Ipswich
England Championship 02/10/18
Ipswich
Middlesbrough
England Championship 06/05/18
Ipswich
Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough preview: Two players out
The international break has done Rob Edwards no favours with respect to getting injured players back on the grass, as Darragh Lenihan and Riley McGree are both still unavailable to him. After a string of disappointing results, Edwards could roll the dice on Friday and give a start to Man City loanee Sverre Nypan, who earned his first Norway cap last week.
Predicted lineup: Brynn (GK), Ayling, Fry, Jones, Brittain, Nypan, Hackney, Targett, Whittaker, Strelec, Conway
Last five results
- Portsmouth 1-0 Middlesbrough
- Middlesbrough 0-0 Stoke
- Southampton 1-1 Middlesbrough
- Middlesbrough 2-1 West Brom
- Preston 2-2 Middlesbrough
Ipswich preview: Plenty of options for McKenna
The main reason why Ipswich are still considered favourites to win the Championship this season is their huge squad, and Kieran McKenna has the majority of players available to him on Friday. The only two players who will miss out are Conor Townsend and West Burns, who are both out with long-term injuries.
Predicted lineup: Palmer (GK), Furlong, O'Shea, Kipre, Davis, Matusiwa, Cajuste, Philogene, Clarke, Szmodics, Hirst
Last five results
- Ipswich 3-1 Norwich City
- Bristol City 1-1 Ipswich
- Ipswich 2-1 Portsmouth
- Ipswich 5-0 Sheffield United
- Ipswich 2-2 Derby County
Player to watch: Jaden Philogene
Jaden Philogene struggled to adapt to Premier League football last season, but the former Hull City forward looks like back to his best in the second tier of English football. Philogene has scored five goals in his last four outings for Ipswich and will be the man that Boro fear the most on Friday night.