This Week's Opposition: Ipswich Town

Photo Credit: Ipswich Town FC

After a fortnight away due to the international break, Pompey are back in action this weekend. Promotion hopefuls Ipswich Town await Danny Cowley’s unbeaten Blues at Portman Road.

The 2-2 draw with Plymouth Argyle at Fratton Park on September 17th was the most recent run out for Pompey, who now sit 3rd in League One as a result of not playing last week.

Tough tests have been put in front of the Blues already this season but even tougher ones are approaching, starting with this trip to Suffolk.

MANAGER

The Tractor Boys are managed by 36-year-old Kieran McKenna.

The Northern Irishman has been in charge of Ipswich since December of last year, when a 3-and-a-half year deal was penned with the club.

McKenna moved to Ipswich to undertake his first full managerial role, having previously held youth coach and assistant managerial positions at Tottenham and Manchester United.

He has achieved a win percentage of 52.8 across his 36 competitive games in charge to date.

ONE TO WATCH

Since leaving Portsmouth in the summer, Marcus Harness has proved to be a big hit with the Ipswich faithful.

An undisclosed fee saw the attacking midfielder, now 26, make the move from PO4 to Ipswich in Suffolk, having enjoyed 3 seasons on the South Coast.

He was involved in a transfer deal this summer which also saw Joe Pigott come the other way on a loan move to Fratton Park.

Harness is the owner of the number 11 shirt at Ipswich and has so far scored 3 league goals this campaign.

TOP SCORER

Another former Blues player makes the cut for this feature - Striker Conor Chaplin is currently the club’s leading scorer with 6 goals under his belt in League One already this season.

The 25-year-old has however gone 4 games in all competitions without finding the back of the net, last succeeding in a 2-0 win over Bristol Rovers on September 13th.

Chaplin represented Pompey for 16 years between 2003 and his departure in 2019, turning pro in 2014 and making over 100 appearances for the senior team.

He now wears the number 10 shirt at Portman Road.

CURRENT FORM

Although this week’s opponents, Ipswich occupy 1 place higher than the Blues in the League One standings, they are beatable.

Last time out, Kieran McKenna’s side were defeated by 2 goals to 1 away at Plymouth Argyle, live on the Sky Sports cameras on Sunday afternoon.

Pompey remain unbeaten but have played a game less than The Tractor Boys, who have so far amassed a total of 21 points from their opening 10 league games.

Prior to last weekend’s defeat at Home Park, Ipswich had not been defeated in their opening 9 league fixtures, picking up 6 wins and 3 draws.

Who will come out on top in this heavyweight League One clash at Portman Road - Ipswich Town or Portsmouth?

All of the unmissable action will be right with us on Pompey Live from 2 O'Clock this, and every Saturday afternoon!