Middlesbrough – Ipswich Town

Ipswich Town will achieve their first away win of the season

For the first time in several weeks, the esteemed football club Middlesbrough will step onto the pitch of their home stadium 'Riverside' not as leaders of the Championship. Finally, what many had long predicted has happened - Coventry City, led by Frank Lampard, has climbed to the top of the league table. Although 'Boro' itself made significant efforts towards this unpleasant event. Before the break for international matches, Edwards' team lost for the first time in nine rounds. The decline in the team's performance was expected, as no one anticipated Middlesbrough's leadership under the new manager at the start of the season. Coventry City, with their confident play, displaced not only 'Boro' from the top position in the league table but also pushed their upcoming opponent out of the first spot on the list of favourites to win the Championship. Indeed, Ipswich Town was the main contender for the gold medals even before the season began and maintained that status despite their current positions. Now the 'Tractor Boys' are the second candidates in the fight for the championship title. Bookmakers are yet to decide on a clear favourite for the upcoming clash, offering a slightly lower odds on the guests’ victory. Middlesbrough collected sixteen out of eighteen possible points in the first six rounds. The fans started to carry the newly appointed Rob Edwards in triumph, but fortune had its limits. In the third decade of September, 'Boro' drew with Southampton and Stoke City, and the beginning of October brought the club its first serious setback. Midway through the first half, Portsmouth scored against Middlesbrough at their home ground, a goal that remained the first and last in the match. The fate of Ipswich Town at the start of the season is contrasting to that of their upcoming opponent. The 'Tractor Boys' could not win until the fifth round when a limping Sheffield United visited them. The victory over the 'Blades' marked a new level of performance for Ipswich. In September and October, the team played four rounds, earning ten out of twelve possible points. However, they are still without an away win. A previously confident opponent is perfectly suited for such purposes.