Thu Dec 08, 2016 8:30 am
PREVIEW: Tractor Boys look to get season back on track against Cardiff
Ipswich Town
News 72
Thursday 8th December 2016
Cardiff City will look to escape the relegation spots of the Sky Bet Championship with a win against an out-of-form Ipswich Town side at Portman Road on Saturday afternoon.
City currently sit one point behind twenty-first placed Blackburn Rovers, however Cardiff have won just twice away from home so far this season.
Although, Mick McCarthy’s Ipswich team are also on a torrid run of form, with the Tractor Boys picking up just three wins and two draws from their previous eight League games – meaning the Blues sit five points above the relegation places but seven points from the final play-off spot.
With the Tractor Boys slipping further down the League table, many Blues fans are calling this game a must-win should McCarthy wish to retain his job at Portman Road – especially after Ipswich were beaten comfortably 2-0 at Bristol City.
Despite the Blues lacking in form, they should take notice of the Bluebirds’ dreadful defensive record – having already conceded 30 times this season – whereas the Blues have conceded the fourth least amount of goals this season.
At the opposite end of the pitch, however, the Tractor Boys have been unable to gain any consistency in front of goal with the Blues having scored the second least amount of goals in the League.
Neil Warnock will need to be vary of the Blues’ strong record at home against the Bluebirds, with Cardiff last’s win at Portman Road being the 2-1 victory in December 2008.
A win for Warnock’s side could propel the Bluebirds out of the relegation places, whereas a win for the Blues could ease the pressure mounting on boss Mick McCarthy.