| Match Details | Information |
| Competition | Championship – (England) |
| Round | 27 |
| Date & Time | 2026-01-17, 13:30 – (Include timezone BST/GMT). |
| Stadium | Portman Road Stadium |
Prediction – Ipswich Town 2 – 1 Blackburn Rovers
Recent Form
Heading into their Championship clash at Portman Road Stadium, Ipswich Town appears to have a slight edge in momentum over Blackburn Rovers based on their recent league performances. Ipswich Town has achieved notable victories in three of their last five matches, including a convincing 3-1 away win against Leicester City and a solid 3-1 triumph at home against Sheffield Wednesday. Despite suffering a setback against Coventry City with a 2-0 defeat, Ipswich has shown resilience and an ability to rebound, as evidenced by their 2-1 victory over Oxford United. A goalless draw against Millwall further underscores Ipswich’s defensive capabilities, allowing them to remain competitive even when not securing a win. In contrast, Blackburn Rovers’ recent form suggests inconsistency, with only one win in their last five league outings—a 2-0 victory over Millwall. Their inability to convert opportunities into wins is highlighted by two goalless draws against Sheffield Wednesday and Middlesbrough and a disappointing 2-0 home defeat to Wrexham. The 2-2 draw against Charlton Athletic indicates some offensive potential, but Blackburn’s overall performance shows a team struggling to find cohesive form. The head-to-head meetings between Ipswich and Blackburn reveal a competitive history, with their most recent encounter ending in a 1-1 draw. Ipswich holds a slight psychological advantage, having won the two matches prior to that draw, including a thrilling 4-3 victory at home. As they prepare to meet again, Ipswich’s recent league successes could provide them with the confidence needed to secure a favorable outcome against a Blackburn side still searching for consistent form.
Ipswich Town Last 5 League Matches
| Teams | Result | Red Cards | Yellow Cards | Corners | Free Kicks | Possession | Assists |
| Ipswich Town Vs Oxford United | 2-1 | 0 – 0 | 1 – 4 | 9 – 2 | 12 – 9 | 64% – 36% | 1 – 1 |
| Coventry City Vs Ipswich Town | 2-0 | 0 – 0 | 1 – 2 | 3 – 6 | 14 – 12 | 41% – 59% | 0 – 2 |
| Millwall Vs Ipswich Town | 0-0 | 0 – 0 | 1 – 2 | 2 – 4 | 12 – 11 | 37% – 63% | 0 – 0 |
| Ipswich Town Vs Sheffield Wednesday | 3-1 | 0 – 0 | 1 – 1 | 5 – 3 | 9 – 9 | 63% – 37% | 3 – 0 |
| Leicester City Vs Ipswich Town | 1-3 | 0 – 0 | 1 – 2 | 6 – 5 | 9 – 9 | 42% – 58% | 2 – 0 |
Ipswich Town’s recent performances have demonstrated a blend of resilience and attacking prowess, positioning them as a formidable force in the Championship. Over the last five league matches, Ipswich has secured three victories, one draw, and suffered a single defeat. These results highlight a team that, while not invincible, has been able to impose its strategy effectively in most games. A significant factor in their success has been their ability to dominate possession, consistently maintaining over 58% in four of these matches. This control has allowed them to dictate the pace and create numerous scoring opportunities, as seen in their victories against Oxford United and Sheffield Wednesday where they scored multiple goals. Analyzing their performances, a standout feature is Ipswich’s offensive efficiency, particularly evident in their 3-1 triumphs over both Sheffield Wednesday and Leicester City. The team has shown a knack for converting chances, as highlighted by the three assists recorded against Sheffield Wednesday. This suggests a well-coordinated front line capable of breaking down defenses with precise passing and movement. However, the defeat to Coventry City, where they failed to score despite having 59% possession, indicates a potential vulnerability when facing teams that can absorb pressure and counterattack effectively. The current injury list is minimal, with only George Hirst absent due to a yellow card suspension, which bodes well for Ipswich’s squad depth. This absence, however, could slightly impact their attacking options, placing a greater burden on the likes of Chuba Akpom to lead the line and find the back of the net. The predicted lineup suggests a robust defensive setup anchored by Christian Walton in goal and a solid backline featuring Leif Davis and Cédric Kipré. In midfield, the inclusion of players like Azor Matusiwa and Jens Cajuste provides stability and creativity, crucial for maintaining possession and transitioning into attack. Ipswich’s primary strength lies in their ability to control matches through superior ball possession and a disciplined defensive approach, as evidenced by their clean sheet against Millwall. However, they need to ensure they capitalize on their chances, especially against teams that can disrupt their rhythm. As they prepare to face their next opponents, maintaining this balance between possession and clinical finishing will be critical in securing another positive result.
Blackburn Rovers Last 5 League Matches
| Teams | Result | Red Cards | Yellow Cards | Corners | Free Kicks | Possession | Assists |
| Blackburn Rovers Vs Charlton Athletic | 2-2 | 0 – 0 | 1 – 4 | 2 – 5 | 18 – 8 | 59% – 41% | 2 – 0 |
| Blackburn Rovers Vs Wrexham | 0-2 | 0 – 0 | 4 – 2 | 4 – 8 | 10 – 14 | 53% – 47% | 0 – 2 |
| Sheffield Wednesday Vs Blackburn Rovers | 0-0 | 0 – 0 | 2 – 3 | 2 – 7 | 11 – 12 | 45% – 55% | 0 – 0 |
| Middlesbrough Vs Blackburn Rovers | 0-0 | 0 – 0 | 2 – 2 | 4 – 4 | 9 – 11 | 53% – 47% | 0 – 0 |
| Blackburn Rovers Vs Millwall | 2-0 | 0 – 0 | 3 – 3 | 3 – 6 | 18 – 9 | 45% – 55% | 0 – 0 |
Blackburn Rovers have experienced a mixed run of form in their last five league matches, which reflects both their potential and their vulnerabilities. The team managed to secure a win against Millwall with a solid 2-0 performance, showcasing their ability to capitalize on limited possession by being efficient in front of goal. However, this victory was sandwiched between two goalless draws against Sheffield Wednesday and Middlesbrough, highlighting a defensive resilience but also a struggle to find the back of the net consistently. The draw against Charlton Athletic further exemplified these inconsistencies, as Blackburn conceded twice despite dominating possession and creating more scoring opportunities. The defeat against Wrexham underscored some of the challenges Blackburn face. Despite controlling the ball slightly more, their inability to break down the opposition’s defense and convert possession into goals was evident. This recent trend of struggling to score, except in their match against Millwall, indicates a need for sharper attacking play and better execution in the final third. Injuries have also played a role, with Hayden Carter’s absence due to knee surgery potentially impacting defensive stability. Despite this, the defense has largely held strong, as evidenced by the two clean sheets. The predicted lineup suggests a balanced approach, with Todd Cantwell, Yuki Ohashi, and Moussa Baradji tasked with providing the attacking impetus. The midfield, featuring Taylor Gardner-Hickman and Sondre Tronstad, will be crucial in transitioning play from defense to attack and maintaining possession. Blackburn’s strategy might focus on leveraging their midfield’s creativity while ensuring solid defensive coverage from their backline, led by Sean McLoughlin and Tom Atcheson. Overall, Blackburn Rovers will need to find a balance between their defensive solidity and attacking prowess to improve their league standing. The upcoming match at Portman Road Stadium will be a test of their tactical adaptability and mental resilience, as they aim to convert their possession advantage into a decisive victory. With a relatively stable lineup and a focus on optimizing their strengths, Blackburn has the potential to secure positive results if they address their recent shortcomings.
Team News & Injuries
Ipswich Town Injuries & Suspensions
- George Hirst (Yellow Card Suspension)
Blackburn Rovers Injuries & Suspensions
- Hayden Carter (Knee Surgery)
Head-to-Head (H2H) Record & Summary
H2H Last 5
| Teams | Result | Red Cards | Yellow Cards | Corners | Free Kicks | Possession | Assists |
| Blackburn Rovers Vs Ipswich Town (02 Dec 2025) | 1-1 | 0 – 0 | 1 – 3 | 9 – 3 | 11 – 12 | 45% – 55% | 1 – 1 |
| Blackburn Rovers Vs Ipswich Town (29 Mar 2024) | 0-1 | 0 – 0 | 2 – 3 | 9 – 1 | 0 – 0 | 53% – 47% | 0 – 1 |
| Ipswich Town Vs Blackburn Rovers (23 Sep 2023) | 4-3 | 0 – 0 | 3 – 4 | 10 – 5 | 0 – 0 | 40% – 60% | 2 – 2 |
| Blackburn Rovers Vs Ipswich Town (19 Jan 2019) | 2-0 | 0 – 0 | 2 – 1 | 6 – 5 | 0 – 0 | 48% – 52% | 0 – 0 |
| Ipswich Town Vs Blackburn Rovers (04 Aug 2018) | 2-2 | 0 – 0 | 2 – 3 | 3 – 0 | 0 – 0 | 56% – 44% | 0 – 0 |
H2H Detailed Analysis
The head-to-head record between Ipswich Town and Blackburn Rovers suggests a competitive rivalry with closely contested matches. Over the past five encounters, Ipswich has shown a slight edge with two wins compared to Blackburn’s single victory, alongside two draws. Notably, their clashes have been characterized by tight scorelines and a fair share of goals, suggesting a tendency toward open and attacking play from both sides. In the most recent match on December 2, 2025, the teams shared the spoils with a 1-1 draw, indicative of their evenly matched capabilities. Ipswich has managed to score in each of the last five meetings, highlighting their ability to breach Blackburn’s defenses consistently. Conversely, Blackburn’s last victory against Ipswich dates back to January 2019, which may weigh on their confidence heading into this fixture. This upcoming match at Portman Road Stadium could see a continuation of these competitive trends, though current injuries and suspensions could influence the outcome. Ipswich Town will be without George Hirst due to a yellow card suspension, which could impact their attacking options. However, the presence of key players like Chuba Akpom, who is expected to lead the line, may mitigate this absence. Blackburn Rovers, on the other hand, face a defensive setback with Hayden Carter sidelined due to knee surgery. This could be a vulnerability Ipswich seeks to exploit, especially with their historical proficiency in scoring against Blackburn. Both teams’ predicted lineups feature a mix of experienced and emerging talent, suggesting an intriguing tactical battle. Overall, while the head-to-head history leans slightly in favor of Ipswich, the current dynamics and absences provide Blackburn with an opportunity to alter this narrative, promising an engaging contest.
Predicted Lineups
- Formation: 4-2-3-1
- Players: Christian Walton (Goalkeeper),Leif Davis (Defender),Cédric Kipré (Defender),Darnell Furlong (Defender),Dara O’Shea (Defender),Azor Matusiwa (Midfielder), Sindre Walle Egeli (Midfielder),Jaden Philogene (Midfielder),Jens Cajuste (Midfielder), Marcelino Núñez (Midfielder),Chuba Akpom (Attacker)
- Formation: 3-4-1-2
- Players: Aynsley Pears (Goalkeeper), Sean McLoughlin (Defender), Tom Atcheson (Defender), George Pratt (Defender), Harry Pickering (Midfielder),Taylor Gardner-Hickman (Midfielder),Sondre Tronstad (Midfielder), Lewis Miller (Midfielder),Todd Cantwell (Attacker), Yuki Ohashi (Attacker), Moussa Baradji (Attacker)
