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Ipswich Town have the opportunity to secure promotion to the Premier League on Tuesday, 28 April, when they take on Southampton at St Mary's Stadium, needing three points to return to the top tier of English football.
Although the visitors are in pole position for automatic promotion, the Saints can give themselves a chance of pipping the Tractor Boys on the final day of the season by downing them on Tuesday night.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our Today's betting tips page for more of our free expert Championship predictions.
Contents
Southampton vs Ipswich key stats
- Ipswich have won just one of their last three away Championship matches.
- Southampton have won seven of their last eight Championship matches.
- Both teams have scored in each of the last three meetings between Southampton and Ipswich
Southampton vs Ipswich preview: Can the Saints take the promotion race to the final day?
| Southampton | vs | Ipswich Town |
|---|---|---|
| 5th | Position | 2nd |
| 76 | Points | 80 |
| 77 | Goals For | 75 |
| 53 | Goals Against | 45 |
| 11 | Clean Sheets | 16 |
| 4th | Home Rank | 2nd |
| 8th | Away Rank | 7th |
Southampton will have to dust themselves and go again on Tuesday night after their devastating late defeat to Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-finals on Saturday evening.
The Saints were less than ten minutes away from the final at the end of May, but they cannot let the manner of the defeat have a lasting impact, otherwise another season in the Championship awaits.
Their run of results since the defeat to Hull in mid-January has been remarkable. Tonda Eckert's men have recorded 13 wins, four draws and zero defeats during this period, which has seen them go from 15th to fifth, but now they must finish the job.
There are bound to be some tired legs in the Southampton squad in light of the semi-final, and a switch to a back four is expected. Flynn Downes is ruled out through suspension, while Jack Stephens is a doubt with a calf injury.
As for Ipswich, this is the type of opportunity they have been waiting for all season.
The Tractor Boys have not been nearly as convincing as they were during their promotion campaign in 2023/24, but they now just need one win from their final two games to secure an immediate return to the Premier League.
Their performance against West Brom last time out was very much one of a team who knew that a point would leave them in control of their destiny during the final week of the season, and now they just need to seal the deal.
While a home clash with QPR on Saturday is 'easier' than an away trip to Southampton, Kieran McKenna would love to be able to avoid all the stresses of needing a win on the final day of the season.
McKenna is sweating on the availability of Leif Davis, who will need to pass a late fitness test if he is to appear on the south coast.
Southampton vs Ipswich form guide & betting tips
| Southampton | vs | Ipswich Town |
|---|---|---|
| W-W-W-W-D | League Form | W-L-D-W-D |
| 13 | Points | 8 |
| 1st | Form Table | 10th |
| 14 | Goals For | 6 |
| 5 | Goals Against | 5 |
| W-D-L | Form (all comps) | D-W-D |
Whispers predicts: Southampton 2-1 Ipswich
Southampton haven't lost a Championship match since January, while Ipswich have only won 40% of their Championship away fixtures this season. Southampton to win has been best priced at 23/20.
Both teams have scored in each of Southampton's last three matches. BTTS has been priced at 8/13.
Jack Clarke has scored 15 Championship goals for Ipswich so far this season. Clarke is priced at 12/5 to score anytime on Sunday.
> Southampton to win at 23/20 | Likelihood: Probable
> BTTS at 8/13 | Likelihood: Probable
> Jack Clarke to score anytime at 12/5 | Likelihood: Possible