– Ipswich have won four of their last six away fixtures
– Hull have won only one of their last seven home matches
– Recommended bet: Ipswich to win
The Championship season is approaching crunch time and a key battle takes place at the MKM Stadium on Saturday evening with playoff-chasing Hull locking horns with automatic promotion contenders Ipswich.
Hull are striving for an extended season and closed the gap to the top six to just three points with a 3-2 victory at Coventry on Wednesday.
However, the Tigers need to keep on winning and they face a tough task against Ipswich, who are pushing for successive promotions.
Ipswich have had a two-week break since drawing 1-1 at home to Middlesbrough but they remain in control of their own destiny in the scramble for a top two finish.
Team news
Hull look set to be without Burnley loanee Anass Zaroury, who has missed the last three matches with a groin strain.
Manchester City loanee Liam Delap started his first game since New Year’s Day on Wednesday and will hope to retain his place.
George Hirst is a long-term absentee for Ipswich and Wes Burns has not featured since mid-March.
The stats
Hull have won only one of their last seven home games.
The Tigers have not won successive matches since February.
Four of Hull’s last six fixtures have generated at least four goals.
Ipswich have won four of their last six away fixtures.
Four of Ipswich’s last five games have featured less than three goals.
Prediction
Ipswich have taken just one point from three matches since kicking off their April schedule with a 3-2 victory at home to Southampton but they can conclude their mini-slump by defeating Hull at the MKM Stadium.
Automatic promotion remains within reach for Kieran McKenna’s side, who have had time to reassess and recharge to ensure the best possible preparation for the challenges to come.
The Tractor Boys were unlucky to draw 1-1 at home to Middlesbrough a fortnight ago and they may have better fortune against the Tigers, who have no room for error in their push for a top-six finish.
Hull lacked energy and urgency in last Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Watford but they responded positively on Wednesday to claim a 3-2 victory at Coventry.
However, Liam Rosenior’s side have not won back-to-back games since February and they might struggle to cope with the Tractor Boys, who defeated them 3-0 in Suffolk last October.