This Week's Opposition: Ipswich Town

Portsmouth's next Championship challenge are put under the microscope by Kirsty Roxanne.

Following an impressive 3-0 victory at Fratton Park on Saturday, John Mousinho’s side have now picked up 8 points out of a possible 15 so far this calendar year.

With a frozen pitch postponing the original date of this fixture, Ipswich Town head back to PO4 this midweek.

MANAGER

Kieran McKenna is in charge of The Tractor Boys.

After a hip injury curtailed his playing career, McKenna studied sports science at Loughborough University. He coached Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at Under-18 level and also worked as a first team coach and assistant manager at United.

McKenna was appointed head coach of the side in League One back in 2021 - He secured promotion to the Championship in his first full season in charge.

The 39-year-old then went on to guide the team to back-to-back promotions and a return to the top flight for the first time in 22 years, accumulating 96 points and scoring the most goals in the division - They only lost once at home all campaign.

Ipswich did however only win 4 games in the Premier League and were relegated back to the second tier straightaway.

ONE TO WATCH

Our one to watch is Anis Mehmeti.

The Albanian started out playing youth football with Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur before making a move to Norwich City. At the end of 2019, he joined Essex Senior League side Woodford Town.

Mehmeti was then picked up by Wycombe Wanderers following their introduction of a ‘B Team’ - He went on to make his professional debut in October 2020.

In January 2023, Mehmeti signed for Bristol City on a 3-and-half year deal and he ended up ranking up 123 appearances for The Robins, netting 25 before completing a transfer to Ipswich this January.

So far this season, the striker has 8 goals and 6 assists to his name.

TOP SCORER

The side’s current leading scorer is winger Jack Clarke, who has recorded 12 goals and 1 assist.

Clarke came through the Leeds United Academy before making his professional debut in October 2018. He signed for Tottenham Hotspur before being loaned back to Leeds and also had loan spells with Queens Park Rangers, Stoke City and Sunderland.

The winger went on to sign for the latter, Sunderland on a permanent basis and scored 25 goals in 87 appearances for the Black Cats.

In August 2024, Clarke signed for newly-promoted Premier League side Ipswich - He scored 3 goals and provided 6 assists whilst in the top flight.

Clarke wears the number 47 shirt.

CURRENT FORM

Ipswich are currently 4th in the Championship with 51 points.

Prior to their defeat to Sheffield United on the 24th of January, the Tractor Boys went 7 games unbeaten - 6 in the league and a victory over Blackpool in The FA Cup.

After a patchy start to the season, McKenna’s side have recently picked up 14 points from 7 league matches and have started making their way into a more comfortable position at the top of the division.

The reverse of this fixture saw Kieran McKenna’s side win 2-1 at Portman Road.

Can the Blues continue their recent run of form and keep pushing up the table?

Express FM will be in position at Fratton Park to provide full coverage of Portsmouth vs Ipswich Town from 7pm on Tuesday (February 3rd) evening - Jake Smith and James Wilson watching this one.

Kick-off: 7:45pm!