Rare Away Win Can Bolster Ipswich`s Play-Off Ambitions

Ipswich Town could move to within one point of the Championship play-offs with a win in tonight`s late kick-off (22nd September, 7:45) at Wigan Athletic`s DW Stadium. Currently occupying 12th position, Mick McCarthy`s Blues could see themselves usurped by their opponents should they be on the receiving end of a heavy enough defeat. Inconsistent Wigan sit in 17th place having accumulated eight points from seven games.

An opening day 2-2 tie with fellow promotion hopefuls Reading was considered a positive result for the North West club, though consecutive defeats at the hands of Charlton Athletic and Cardiff City saw them without a victory in their first three matches. Home wins over relegation favourites Blackpool (1-0) and lowly Birmingham (4-0) helped Uwe Rosler`s men up to 12th, though a 3-1 defeat to Lancashire rivals Blackburn and a goalless draw against Huddersfield Town have contributed to another winless run.

This is in stark contrast to Ipswich whose 1-0 defeat in their Norfolk derby against Norwich proved catalyst enough to send the Tractor Boys on a three game run without a loss. A 1-1 draw away to Derby County preceded a pair of 2-0 home wins against Millwall and Brighton respectively. An opening day 2-1 victory over newly relegated Fulham has been the undoubted launch pad for a positive campaign so far.

It is the Latics, however, who are the 11/10 (Betvictor, boylesports) favourites to pick up all three points. Such odds reflect Wigan`s three game unbeaten run at home in spite of their turbulent start to the season. Both bet365 and Spreadex are offering 3/1 on the away side putting an end to this form whilst also ending their own winless streak away. Five to two (bet365, betfred, Betvictor, Skybet, Totesport) says the game will end a tie.

The favourites will be buoyed by the return of James McClean. The 25-year-old winger has made a full recovery after a hamstring injury meant that he could only come off the bench to feature in his side`s away clash at Huddersfield last time out. The Republic of Ireland man has had something of a torrid time with his fitness, having to miss his country`s opening Euro 2016 qualifier against Georgia with an ankle issue. Should he feature, it will be only the midfielder`s second competitive appearance for Wigan this season.

This recovery means that manager Rosler has a fully fit squad ahead of tonight`s game.

All eyes, however, will be on Athletic`s top scorer Callum McManaman who was booked for simulation in the Huddersfield game despite Rosler`s protestations that the winger was denied `a clear penalty`.

`People are trying to give Callum a reputation.` The German told BBC Radio Manchester. `Defenders in the final third clearly have a problem handling him and obviously they try to get into the ear of the referee.`

McManaman is 56/19 with 888sport to bounce back from the decision and grab his fifth goal of the season.

Ipswich are still without pre-season signing Cameron Stewart who has also spent his fair share of time in the physio`s room. The free transfer from Leeds spent six weeks laid off with a broken jaw after being caught with a late elbow in Town`s pre-season friendly against League 1 Leyton Orient. The 23-year-old midfielder now faces the prospect of spending even longer on the sidelines as the club take their time to assess a knee injury. With a scan pending, Stewart is unlikely to make his competitive debut at the DW Stadium.

Forward Daryl Murphy will be looking to bag a goal in three consecutive games for the Tractor Boys having netted against both Millwall and Brighton. He is 16/5 (888sport) to achieve this feat.

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22/09/2014     © Frixo 2026