Bitesize Prediction: Ipswich vs Watford – 10/04/24

Competition: Championship

Market: Ipswich win

Odds: 8/15 @ Pribet

Facing what is a real must-win showdown on Wednesday night, Ipswich will welcome Watford to Portman Road.

Starting with the hosts, suffering derby heartbreak over the weekend as they eventually fell to a 1-0 loss against bitter local rivals Norwich, Ipswich know the importance of claiming an immediate response here. Opening the midweek fixtures holding just a one-point buffer from slipping out of the automatic promotion places, Kieran McKenna’s men will be excited by the prospect of returning from Portman Road here. Heading into March’s international break with a stellar 6-0 romp against relegation scrappers Sheffield Wednesday, the former Manchester United coach has seen his squad gain a fearsome reputation for their continued success on home soil. Last seen in front of their own supporters collecting an action-packed 3-2 victory against play-off contenders Southampton, Ipswich have won all of their previous five showdowns at Portman Road. Likewise, it should also be highlighted, McKenna’s side have bagged 19 goals on that five-match winning run in Suffolk. Still leading the chase to book an iconic Premier League return this season, the Blues should be smelling a potential opportunity here.

As for the visitors, while Watford might have opened up the 2023/24 campaign with their sights set on mounting a genuine play-off charge, the Hornets have continued to struggle with their consistency this season. Appointing ex-Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley on an interim basis last month, Wednesday’s guests are scrapping it out in the bottom-half of the Championship table. Last seen over the weekend settling for a 0-0 stalemate at home against Preston, Watford have collected just a single victory from any of their previous eight appearances. Failing to register back-to-back Championship victories since opening the New Year, Watford should also be worried by their most recent showdown against Ipswich. Hit with a 2-1 loss when they welcomed the title contenders to Vicarage Road on December 12th, Cleverley’s temporary squad should face a real challenge here. Likewise, losing all of their last three meetings against Ipswich by an aggregate score of 4-1, we are expecting a similar outcome in midweek.

Bet: Ipswich 8/15 to beat Watford in Wednesday’s Championship battle @ Pribet