Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Championship match.
At last, the sixth-round match between Blackburn Rovers and Ipswich Town will be played. On 20 September it was abandoned in the 80th minute with the score at 1:0 to Blackburn Rovers because the pitch at Ewood Park became heavily waterlogged. A few days later the EFL decided to void the game. The replay date was set for 2 December.
Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers would really have benefited from those three points, because they now have only 20, which is just over one per game, and they sit 18th out of 24. Their home form is very poor: in eight matches they have managed only one win and one draw. Only thanks to their remarkable efficiency away from home (16 points from a possible 27) are Blackburn Rovers not yet in the relegation zone.
Ipswich Town
Before the previous round Ipswich Town reached the play-off places for the first time, steadily climbing from 20th to fifth. This was achieved with seven wins and three draws in 12 matches. However, after matchday 18 they had to drop out of the top six because of an away defeat to Oxford United (1:2). Away from home Ipswich Town have average figures: three wins and two draws against three defeats.
Blackburn Rovers vs Ipswich Town Prediction
However, against a Blackburn Rovers side that are weak at home, Ipswich Town’s chances look high, which is why they are favoured in the bookmakers’ odds on the result. The only thing is that Ipswich Town must avoid a sending-off. That affected the score in the abandoned match: Jacob Greaves had to foul to prevent an opponent going clean through for a one-on-one with the goalkeeper. If they avoid that this time, an away win looks entirely achievable.
