Coca-Cola Championship
Saturday February 6 2009
Portman Road
Ipswich Town v Middlesbrough
Kick-off 3pm

THE game will be the 50th league meeting between the two sides. Historically, Ipswich have had the better record, with 24 wins compared to Boro's 15, leaving 10 draws.

Boro haven't won at Portman Road in their last four attempts, their most recent victory coming in 1993 courtesy of a solitary Paul Wilkinson goal.

Injuries and suspensions

Barry Robson will serve his one-match ban after being sent-off last weekend at home to Bristol City.

Jeremie Aliadiere is not expected back until the middle of this month after picking up further ankle problems during the 1-0 defeat at Sheffield United.

Chris Riggott is back in light training after a hamstring injury, but the game will come too soon for the centre-back.

Emanuel Pogatetz has returned to light training following a hamstring injury he sustained during the 3-0 home win over Scunthorpe United on Boxing Day.

Rhys Williams has missed the last two matches with a pelvic injury and is expected to be out for a couple of weeks more at least.

Seb Hines (ankle and knee ligament damage) and Matthew Bates (cruciate ligament) both remain long-term absentees, though both are making good progress.

Guide to the opposition

Ipswich Town finished fifth in the Premier League eight-and-a-half-years ago, qualifying for the UEFA Cup the following season.

Despite relegation in 2002, they were awarded entry into the UEFA Cup through the Fair Play League, but the Tractor Boys have never really recovered since.

The club went in administration during 2003, before securing a play-off place a year later, in 2004. But two defeats to West Ham United in as many seasons in the play-off semi-finals is as close as Ipswich have come to a Premier League return.

After a poor start to the current season under new manager Roy Keane, Ipswich have pulled themselves out of the relegation zone, sitting in 21st place, three points above the drop-zone. Keane, of course, was a player under Gordon Strachan at Celtic.

One to watch

Grant Leadbitter

The former Sunderland midfielder was brought to Portman Road for £2.6m after Roy Keane worked with him at the Stadium of Light.

Chester-le-Street born Leadbitter is a tough-tackling, no-nonsense central midfielder and has been influential in helping Ipswich out of the drop-zone this season.

The Form Book

The two sides have met on the same day once before, back in 1964. Boro fans will be hoping there isn't a repeat of the scoreline from that day, a 5-2 win for Ipswich.

Ipswich are without a win in their last three in all competitions and have won only one of the last five. Boro are unbeaten in their last three, with two draws and a win in the last two weeks.

The Tractor Boys haven't lost at home in nine, their most recent defeat a 4-0 reverse at the hands of Newcastle on September 26.

Boro's 4-1 win at Doncaster 10 days ago was the first in four away.

Last time out

September 12 2009

Middlesbrough 3 (O'Neil 17, Aliadiere 66, 85)

Ipswich Town 1 (Walters (pen) 90 + 6)

Two Jeremie Aliadiere goals and one from Gary O'Neil gave Boro a deserved win over Ipswich, who scored with an injury-time penalty.

Middlesbrough: Coyne; McMahon, Wheater (Capt), Hines, Taylor (Grounds 41), O'Neil, Williams, Arca (Yeates 77), A Johnson, Emnes, Lita (Aliadiere 61). Unused subs: Jones (gk); Hoyte, Bennett, Franks.

Ipswich Town: Wright; Delaney (Martin 64), McAuley, Bruce (Capt), Leadbitter, Counago (Priskin 61), Peters, Colback (Quinn 61), Walters, Rosenior, Edwards. Unused subs: Lee-Barrett (gk); Stead, Smith, Trotter.

Referee: Kevin Friend

Bookings

Middlesbrough: Johnson, 44, diving; Arca, 62, foul; O'Neil, 81, dissent.

Ipswich Town: Leadbitter, 27, foul; Delaney, 36, foul; Colback, 42, foul; Bruce, 44, foul; Martin, 90+2, foul.

Attendance: 19,742

Conditions: Sunny, warm and still.

Website Boro Man of the Match: Julio Arca

Referee

Keith Hill was due to officiate Boro's game at Queens Park Rangers back in December. We don't know why he didn't.

He has been in the middle for 21 games this season, in which he has shown 74 yellow and three red cards. No game has been cardless. The minimum has been one, that came at Portman Road when Ipswich lost 3-1 to Palace in the middle of August - oit proved to be the exception to the rule.

Weather

Compared to recent conditions this is the best for some time, though drizzle is expected at times.

Temperatures during the day are expected to reach seven degrees, dropping to four later in the day with a 9mph north, north-easterly breeze

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Tickets and Travel

Click here for directions to Portman Road.

Click here for all your ticket news.

Full coverage of the game will be available on Boro World. Since last Saturday's draw with Bristol City we have spoken with Gordon Strachan, Stephen McManus, David Wheater, Jonathan Grounds, Kyle Naughton, Lee Miller and Scott McDonald. All those interviews are now on Boro World. Not bad for a service that costs less than 70p a week.