Ipswich Town v Preston: play-off push meets top-six chase | OneFootball

Ipswich Town face Preston North End in the Championship at Portman Road on Saturday, 31 January 2026, with the hosts looking to consolidate their play-off place and the visitors seeking a lift towards the top six.

Ipswich Town are third on 50 points, while Preston North End sit ninth with 43. Preston won the reverse fixture in August.

The Tractor Boys won three league games on the spin before a 3-1 defeat at Sheffield United. Preston have lost three straight league matches after New Year, following wins over Sheffield Wednesday and at Bristol City.

Ipswich are without Conor Townsend, Chuba Akpom, Jaden Philogene and Marcelino Núñez. Preston miss Robbie Brady, Brad Potts, Andrew Hughes and goalkeeper Daniel Iversen, with Jordan Storey suspended.

Statistically, the Tractor Boys have 48 goals, 10 clean sheets, 56% possession and 81.59% pass accuracy, so they could look to control the ball and feed Jack Clarke, who has 11 league goals, with Anis Mehmeti adding eight goals and six assists. Preston average 45% possession and are strong in the air, winning 605 aerial duels, while delivering 422 open-play crosses at 18.96% accuracy. Lewis Norman Dobbin's five assists point to a supply line they may lean on.

A win would move the Tractor Boys to 53 points and further cement their play-off position. Preston would reach 46 points and could close in on the top six.