PREVIEW: A Good Time To Meet Ipswich Town

Elland Road has not been a particularly rich hunting ground for The Tractor Boys over the years. Their last victory in Leeds came on the 24^th September 2005, a 2-0 victory in the Championship with Sam Parkin scoring both goals. Since that day Ipswich have beaten Leeds on five occasions, all at Portman Road.

Incidentally, Leeds United’s last victory at Elland Road came against The Tractor Boys way back in March of this year where they prevailed with a 2-1 victory. An Alex Mowatt free kick and a Billy Sharp strike in the space of six second half minutes enough to grab the spoils, however it needed a crucial late penalty save from Marco Silvestri to keep all three points.

Leeds were hammered 4-1 in the reverse fixture at Portman Road last season after Mirco Antenucci had given them a fourth minute lead. He looks like he could start tonight alongside Chris Wood after his superb goal at the weekend earned Leeds a point against The Bees.

Alex Mowatt is a doubt after he was withdrawn last time out and new boy Jordan Botaka looks unlikely to make the match day squad after he played a full 90 minutes for the U21s yesterday.

Aside from that Leeds have no other injury concerns.

David McGoldrick looks to be the dangerman for Ipswich, having scored five goals in his last four games, and the Leeds backline will need to be on their toes if they are to keep him quiet tonight. If they can, there’s no reason why they cannot continue their unbeaten start to the season and claim their second victory.

In fairness, if the Whites have any aspiration of a top six finish this season, they need to start winning these home games. A point is simply not good enough.

With Ipswich Town suffering a hiding at the weekend and low on confidence, a long journey to Elland Road on a Tuesday night is the last thing they would want. Leeds need to capitalise on this and start the game brightly, high tempo and attacking. All the things they failed to do on Saturday, where they didn’t really come to life until the second half. The Town defence looks decidedly fragile, shipping five in the last game, and that ought to be in the minds of the Leeds United frontmen who will be looking for an early goal to settle the nerves.

Last time out Ipswich fired a blank, but make no mistake, there's plenty of live ammunition still in the magazine. Leeds need to boss the possession, play with a high line and run at the Town defence. If they manage that and keep the back four tight and organised, a win is on the cards.

Confidence breeds confidence, and once the wins start to come I'm sure they will continue.

Prediction: Leeds United 2-1 Ipswich Town