MATCH PREVIEW | IPSWICH TOWN vs CARDIFF CITY
Match Previews
9th December
Cardiff City travel to Suffolk to take on Ipswich Town, in search of a positive away result ahead of upcoming back-to-back games at Cardiff City Stadium.
THE OPPOSITION
Ipswich Town, managed by Mick McCarthy, have enjoyed mixed fortunes in the Sky Bet Championship of late, winning one and losing two of their last three league games.
The Tractor Boys suffered a 2-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest at Portman Road on 19th November, with Britt Assombalonga netting both goals. They managed to bounce back in style though, with a 3-0 home victory over QPR towards the end of November. Grant Ward, Luke Varney and former City loanee, Tom Lawrence, were on target in that convincing home win.
However, their struggle for consistency was made clear as Ipswich went down 2-0 to Bristol City at Ashton Gate last time out, with that result leaving them in sixteenth place in the Championship table. Former Tottenham man Grant Ward is the Tractor Boys' top scorer so far this campaign with five league goals to his name, and will certainly be a man to keep close tabs on for the Bluebirds.
CLUB CONNECTIONS
Gary Croft joined Ipswich Town from Blackburn Rovers in 1999. The midfielder scored on his debut against Manchester City and helped the club win promotion to English football’s top flight in 2000. He joined the Bluebirds in 2002 and appeared in the 2003 Division Two Play-Off Final when City overcame QPR in the Welsh capital to reach the second tier of English football.
Other players to have represented both the Bluebirds and the Tractor Boys include Mark Kennedy, Andy Legg, Alan Lee, Michael Chopra and Tom Lawrence.
MEMORABLE MEETING
Cardiff City travelled to Portman Road on 6th October 2012 looking to maintain their push for promotion to the Premier League.
SCROLL DOWN FOR HIGHLIGHTS!
The first half took a while to come to life but it was Ipswich who got themselves in front in stoppage time. David Martin crossed from the left wing and it was turned in by DJ Campbell. There was a fair amount of controversy surrounding the goal as the ball appeared to have diverted off the striker’s hands and into the back of the net.
City did not let the perceived injustice get to them, however, and they came out fighting in the second half. Around the hour mark, Craig Conway put a dangerous ball into the box that was spilled by ‘keeper Scott Loach and Heidar Helguson was on hand to turn the ball in for City.
The Bluebirds were pushing for a winner and they got their reward with a few minutes of normal time remaining, Helguson rising highest to head past the ‘keeper for his second of the afternoon. The crucial away victory restored the Bluebirds' place at the top of the Championship table just before the international break.
AWAY DAY FACTS
- The Tractor Boys were founded in 1878.
- Ipswich have won the First Division Title once, in their first season in the top flight in 1961-62.
- They last appeared in the Premier League in the 2001/02 season.
- Ipswich finished in seventh position in the Championship last season, one place and one point above the Bluebirds.
DON'T MISS A MOMENT!
LISTEN: Supporters can listen in live on Cardiff City Player HD* for all the action from Ipswich vs City.
WATCH: Extended highlights of the match will be available to subscribers of Cardiff City Player HD*
SOCIAL: Live updates from Portman Road will come via our official Twitter account, @CardiffCityFC.
*Search ‘Cardiff City’ on the App Store and Google Play Store to view Cardiff City Player HD on Smart Phones, with content available to subscribers 24/7.
