Ipswich Town head to Pride Park for a 12:30 kick‑off, with the match officially beginning at 12:31 as part of the EFL’s campaign to raise awareness of life‑saving CPR. It’s a small but meaningful pause before a fixture that already carries weight for both sides.
Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich arrive in the promotion mix, while John Eustace’s Derby County are fighting to stay in touch with the playoff places. Pride Park rarely allows for a quiet afternoon, and this one feels no different.
Ipswich have games in hand and a chance to strengthen their top‑four position. Derby needs a result to keep the pressure on the sides above them.
Ipswich have edged the more recent meetings, especially during their League One battles, but the fixture has remained tight and competitive.
McKenna’s Ipswich are built on structure, control, and intelligent pressing. Even when results dip, the identity remains clear.
Eustace has made Derby more adaptable. They can press high, sit deep, or counter at pace depending on the opponent. His side is physical, organised, and dangerous when the game becomes stretched.
Both managers favour the 4‑2‑3‑1, but their interpretations differ sharply.
Ipswich’s home form remains strong, but the Sheffield United defeat showed they can still be exposed away from Portman Road.
Derby’s inconsistency is striking. They can grind out wins, but the heavy defeat at Ashton Gate raised questions about their defensive resilience.
Expect Ipswich to dominate the ball, build patiently, and use width through Burns and Mehmeti. Clarke drifting inside gives McKenna an extra playmaker, while Azon’s movement and pressing set the tone up front.
Derby will be more direct. Brereton Díaz cutting in from the left is their biggest threat, while Agyemang stretches the pitch. Brewster’s pace gives them a counter‑attacking outlet.
Predicted XI: Walton; Furlong, O’Shea, Kipré, Davis; Matusiwa, Taylor; Burns, Mehmeti, Clarke; Azon.
Injuries: Townsend (ACL), Núñez (knock), Young (muscle).
Possible return: Philogene could feature after missing the postponed Portsmouth fixture.
Predicted XI: O’Donnell; Ward, Sanderson, Clarke, Elder; Ozoh, Travis; Brereton Díaz, Clark, Brewster; Agyemang.
Unavailable: Morris (knee), Zetterstrom (illness), Johnston (hamstring), Beck (hamstring), Langas (hamstring). Note: Ipswich loanee Sammie Szmodics is ineligible.
Additionally, Lewis Travis — formerly of Ipswich during the 23/24 season — adds bite, aggression, and Championship know‑how in Derby’s midfield.
Derby will make this physical and uncomfortable, especially with Travis snapping into challenges and Brereton Díaz drifting into dangerous pockets. But Ipswich have the cleaner structure, the sharper attacking patterns, and the greater consistency.
If McKenna’s side control midfield and avoids getting dragged into chaos, they have enough quality to edge it.
Prediction: Ipswich to win 2–1.
