Yet another Championship game is approaching and, this Saturday (3pm kick-off), it is Ipswich who stand in the way of another three points for Newcastle.
Newcastle, who currently sit at the top of the table with 28 points, will be looking to make it five consecutive wins in order to help solidify their place as league leaders. Newcastle have been in impressive form of late and have won nine out their last 11 league matches.
History, as well as form, is also on Newcastle’s side as they have not lost a home match against Ipswich since February of 1978; they have won five and drawn five in the last thirty-eight years.
Ipswich, on the other hand, have been pretty inconsistent this season; out of their last five games they have won just once, having drawn two and lost two. As a result, they sit 11 places and 11 points behind Newcastle.
One of Ipswich’s problems this season has been scoring goals; in 13 games, they have only found the net 10 times. Before their last game, where they scored twice, they had gone five matches without finding the back of the net. This makes them the second lowest scorers in the league with only Derby having scored less (7).
Newcastle have scored nearly three times as many (27) and Dwight Gayle, by himself, has scored more goals (11) than the whole Ipswich team put together.
When it comes down to absentees, Benitez has no new injuries to worry about; Chancel Mbemba is still a doubt with a leg injury whilst Massadio Haidara and Rolando Aarons are definitely out. For Ipswich, Cole Skuse is a doubt due to a toe injury. However, David McGoldrick, Jonny Williams and Jonathan Douglas could all return to the squad.
