PREVIEW: IPSWICH TOWN (A)

3 May 2024

A in-depth look at our final 2023/24 Sky Bet Championship fixture against Ipswich Town

- Ipswich Town vs Huddersfield Town
- Saturday 4 May 2024; 12.30pm
- Final 2023/24 Sky Bet Championship fixture

Travelling to Ipswich Town for our final fixture of the 2023/24 Sky Bet Championship season, André Breitenreiter's Terriers make the trip south to Portman Road for a 12.30pm kick-off.

In the final fixture of our current campaign, Town take on promotion-chasing Ipswich Town - who will be relying on claiming all three points to ensure automatic promotion to the Premier League.

THE OPPOSITION

Sitting second in the Sky Bet Championship with 93 points to their name, the Tractor Boys have lost just six games this season, drawing 12 and winning 27 since August last year.

Remaining in the top six for the entirety of their current campaign, Ipswich Town have excelled since winning promotion to the second division last season - and, should they walk away with all three points on Saturday, will earn themselves back-to-back promotions.

THEIR MANAGER

Kieran McKenna 16x9.jpg

Named 2023/24 Championship Manager of the Season, Kieran McKenna was appointed Manager of Ipswich Town in December 2021 - and has since seen the Club go from strength to strength.

Previously working alongside Ole Gunnar Solskjær and José Mourinho as Assistant Manager at Manchester United, the 37-year-old also managed both the Red Devils' and Tottenham Hotspur's Under 18s sides before landing his first managerial position at Portman Road.

Since arriving in Suffolk, McKenna has since set a new club record for not conceding a goal, guided his side to a 19-game unbeaten run, alongside being named the EFL League One Manager of the Month on two consecutive occasions last season.

Now just one game away from sealing automatic promotion to the Premier League, Ipswich Town have boasted an exceptional run of form since McKenna's appointment.

LAST TIME OUT

Victorious on Tuesday evening, the Tractor Boys claimed all three points against Coventry City thanks to goals from Kieffer Moore and Cameron Burgess.

Putting his side ahead within the first ten minutes, a lone Moore slotted the ball past the 'keeper before Burgess found the end of Davis' free-kick to see his shot deflect in off the post - with the result taking Ipswich one step closer to automatic promotion.

Previous Starting XI (4-2-3-1): Hladký; Davis, Burgess, Edmundson, Tuanzebe; Luongo, Morsy; Broadhead, Hutchinson, Burns; Moore

FORMATION

Lining up in a 4-2-3-1 for each of their fixtures this season, McKenna's side have remained consistent in structure throughout the entirety of their campaign.

Usually allowing Bournemouth loanee Kieffer Moore to play up front as a lone striker, often with Omari Hutchinson, Nathan Broadhead, and Conor Chaplin just behind, their pressing play forces mistakes from the opposition which the Tractor Boys can then capitalise on.

WHO TO WATCH

Kieffer Moore

Kieffer Moore 16x9.jpg

Currently on loan from Premier League outfit AFC Bournemouth, the 31-year-old rejoined the Tractor Boys in February until the end of the 2023/24 season.

Having previously signed for Ipswich Town in 2017, Moore made just 11 substitute appearances during his initial stint at Portman Road, before joining Rotherham United on loan and going on to play for Barnsley, Wigan Athletic, Cardiff City, and, most recently, AFC Bournemouth.

Appearing in all 17 matches that he has been available since arriving in Suffolk, the striker has found the back of the net seven times this season, assisting on one occasion too.

Omari Hutchinson

Omari Hutchinson 16x9.jpg

Featuring in all but two of Ipswich Town's 44 fixtures so far, the 20-year-old winger has undoubtedly made his mark at Portman Road since arriving on loan from Chelsea last year.

Starting his youth career in West London, Hutchinson rejoined the Blues in 2022 after being released 10 years prior, before signing for the Tractor Boys in July 2023.

Unable to cement himself in the starting eleven initially, the Jamaican international has started every game for his side since mid-March - following an outstanding run of form in February, scoring three times, assisting twice, and being named the EFL Championship Player of the Month.

Conor Chaplin

Conor Chaplin 16x9.jpg

A product of the Portsmouth Academy, 27-year-old Conor Chaplin is known for his versatility on the pitch - excelling both in play and in front of goal.

Absent on just two occasions this season, the attacking midfielder boasts 13 goals and eight assists so far this campaign - taking his overall tally to 53 goals in 145 appearances for Ipswich Town.

Earning himself the Sky Bet League One Golden Boot last season - thanks to a total of 26 league goals for the Tractor Boys - he was also crowned Ipswich Town's Player of the Season, as well as being named in the EFL League One Team of the Season.

TOWN TEAM NEWS

Head Coach André Breitenreiter addressed the media ahead of our final Sky Bet Championship fixture on Thursday 2 May 2024. You can watch the press conference back in full via HTTV on YouTube below or via THIS LINK.

KIT

Wearing acid lime for the final time on Saturday, there's still time to get your own replica kit before the end of the season - and Town supporters can enjoy 30% off at our Club Shop!

CLICK HERE to get yours online.

iFOLLOW HTAFC

Selected for live broadcast by Sky Sports, our final game will only be available to stream in selected overseas markets.

However, supporters can still access live match commentary via iFollow HTAFC with both season passes and match passes available for just £2.50.

To find out more about iFollow, please CLICK HERE.

SKY SPORTS

Supporters unable to join us for our final fixture will be able to watch every kick via Sky Sports, who have selected the game at Portman Road for exclusive live broadcast.

The match is available on Sky Sports Main Event from 11.30am on Saturday.

Match Reports

REPORT: IPSWICH TOWN 2-0 TOWN

4 May 2024

Defeat at Portman Road confirms Town's relegation to Sky Bet League One

- Ipswich Town 2-0 Huddersfield Town
- Goals from Wes Burns and Omari Hutchinson
- Relegation to Sky Bet League One confirmed

It was an afternoon of mixed fortunes at Portman Road, with Town's relegation to Sky Bet League One confirmed as Ipswich Town celebrated automatic promotion to the Premier League thanks to their victory.

With blue and white balloons blowing onto the field from the off, it was a party atmosphere in Portman Road as the home side looked to confirm their automatic promotion to the Premier League on the final day. Dressed head to toe in lime though, the Terriers stood tall during an opening 15 minutes that saw the Tractor Boys look to take an early lead.

Despite the score remaining goalless, cheers erupted around the stadium at the 20 minute mark with results elsewhere going in the favour of the home side, but Town remained on task defensively, whilst attempting to push forward when the rare opportunity to arose. Almost caught on the break as a result at 25 minutes, Wes Burns had the chance to open the scoring one-on-one with Maxwell down the right hand side, but rushing off his line the Town 'keeper did just enough to force the effort wide for a goal kick.

Making no mistake a few minutes later, it would be Burns who opened the scoring, taking advantage as possession was lost by the Terriers on the edge of their own penalty box. Two quick passes wide gave Burns space on the overlap, and he found the bottom corner with Maxwell unable to intervene.

The game settled and the nervous energy around the ground lessesed following the goal, with a less frantic pattern of play then emerging. Still heavily in the home side's favour, the Terriers didn't drop their levels of effort and continued to frustrate where and when possible. With chances to attack at a premium, the closest Town came was a difficult volley from Healey who tried to turn a ball falling from a great height home, but the connection sent it well wide.

With no changes for either side at the break, the home side wasted no time in doubling their advantage through Hutchinson once play had resumed as the Chelsea loanee raced to the edge of the box before striking powerfully into the bottom right hand corner. Maxwell had made a connection with one hand, but the strike was too pure for the goalkeeper to turn it wide as intended.

Traffic remained one-way for much of the remainder of the half, with Breitenreiter turning to his bench just after the hour mark to make a host of changes. Taking off both Healey and Ward, with Kasumu also vacating midfield, Radulovic, Koroma and Iorpenda were introduced as the Terriers looked to find more of a foothold in the contest.

Efforts and inroads were attempted through Iorpenda and Koroma on a couple of occasions at the game stretched in the final minutes, but neither was able to make a contribution telling enough to impact the scoreline. With the final whistle came not only the end of the 2023/24 campaign, but the end of Town's current stay in the Sky Bet Championship, with attentions now turning to life in Sky Bet League One for the 2024/25 season.

TOWN'S TEAM (3-5-2)

Chris Maxwell; Tom Edwards (Brodie Spencer 75'), Michał Helik, Matty Pearson; Ollie Turton, Jack Rudoni (Alex Matos 30'), David Kasumu (Tom Iorpenda 62'), Ben Wiles, Ben Jackson; Danny Ward (Josh Koroma 62'), Rhys Healey (Bojan Radulovic 62')

UNUSED SUBSTITUTES

Lee Nicholls, Giosue Bellagambi, Pat Jones, Neo Eccleston

TOWN CARDS

Alex Matos '77

GATE

29,011

Ticket News

TICKET INFO: IPSWICH TOWN (A)

3 May 2024

Full ticket information for our final 2023/24 Sky Bet Championship fixture against Ipswich Town

- Ipswich Town vs Huddersfield Town
- Saturday 4 May 2024; 12.30pm kick-off
- Full ticket information available below

Full ticket information is now available for our final 2023/24 Sky Bet Championship fixture against Ipswich Town, as take on the Tractor Boys at Portman Road on Saturday 4 May 2024 at 12.30pm.

We have been allocated a total of 2,002 seated tickets in the Cobbold Stand - with 94 of those located in the Lower Tier and the remainder in the Upper Tier at Portman Road.

Free coach travel is also available for this fixture - with details available below!

Alcohol will be available in the away end and at half-time providing there are no issues.

With a large crowd expected, fans are advised to arrive early to avoid delays.

SALE DATES

Tickets are now on general sale, and supporters will require a previous booking history in order to purchase.

Please note: Tickets will be removed from sale at 2pm on Friday 3 May 2024.

PRICES

UPPER TIER

Adults - £34
Over-65s - £27
Under 23s - £20
Under 19s - £12

LOWER TIER

Adults - £30
Over-65s - £24
Under 23s - £19
Under 19s - £11

DISABLED SUPPORTERS

Adults - £26
Over-65s - £22
Under 23s - £19
Under 19s - £11
Under 12s - £7
Companion - FOC

Please note: all under-13s must be accompanied by an adult over 18. No Under 5s are permitted in the Lower Tiers. There will be NO pay on the day at Portman Road.

HOW TO BUY

Online – CLICK HERE
Over the phone – call 01484 960 606 during open hours
In person – visit the John Smith’s Stadium Ticket Office during open hours

DISABLED SUPPORTERS INFO

We have received nine wheelchair and companion spaces for our final fixture at Portman Road.

These are located in the Magnus Group West Stand and are not with the rest of the supporters. This is a mixed home/away fan disabled area.

We have also been allocated three parking spaces for visiting disabled supporters. These are allocated on a first-come first-served basis, and will need to be booked via the Ticket Office.

Please note: Any supporters that have mobility issues are recommended to sit in the Lower Tier of the Cobbold Stand. Ambulant disabled supporters wishing to sit in the Upper Tier can do so, but please be aware that there is no lift access or accessible toilet facilities in this area.

FREE COACH TRAVEL

Town supporters making the final journey with us to Ipswich can benefit from free coach travel to the game! Wanting to see as many Terriers as possible with us on the road, the Club has committed to covering the cost of ten coaches.

Seats are strictly one per supporter and you must have a valid match ticket in order to join us, with places available on a first-come first-served basis. Our full away travel terms and conditions are available below.

Please note: Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult on the same coach.

TRAVEL INFORMATION

Our official travel coaches will depart from St. Andrew's Car Park at 6am on match day (Saturday 4 May).

To access our consent form for U18 travel, please CLICK HERE. Coach travel for U18s will not be granted without this complete form provided.

CLICK HERE to access our Away Travel Terms and Conditions, and CLICK HERE for our Away Travel Code of Conduct.

UNAUTHORISED SALES

We have become aware that home supporters may be approaching Town fans to help acquire seats in the away allocation at Portman Road. In these instances, tickets will be cancelled with no refund issued, and further action may be taken. Thank you for your co-operation.

DIRECTIONS TO PORTMAN ROAD

Ipswich is approached from the South by the A12 and from the West and North by the A14. Follow the road signs for Ipswich Central from the Copdock intersection where both of these roads meet. Follow these directions for approximately two miles and turn right into West End Road immediately after the Sainsbury’s petrol station. Turn left into Sir Alf Ramsey Way after passing a garage and small bridge. Continue along Sir Alf, opposite the junction of Sir Alf Ramsey Way and Portman Road.

Alternatively, Ipswich Railway Station is just 500 metres from Portman Road for those travelling by train on match day.

AWAY FAN GUIDE

You can find Ipswich Town's designated guide for our fixture at Portman Road HERE.

Or, you can also find fan guides and further information on their website by CLICKING HERE.

TICKET OFFICE OPENING HOURS:

Monday to Friday: 9am - 5pm
Saturday (home match days): 9am until kick-off, then half an hour after the game
Saturday (no home match day): 9am to noon
Sunday: Closed