EFL expert drops 'big winner' claim about Ipswich Town, Coventry City & Middlesbrough | OneFootball

Andy Hinchcliffe believes that Ipswich Town will be the big winners from Monday night's huge Championship clash between Coventry and Middlesbrough.

Ipswich Town will be watching Monday night's huge Championship clash between second-place Coventry City and league leaders Middlesbrough with keen interest.

The Tractor Boys are facing Wrexham in the FA Cup on Friday, but are also plotting to beat either the Sky Blues or Boro to an automatic promotion spot come the end of the season.

Kieran McKenna's men currently sit five points behind Coventry, and boast a game in hand over both Frank Lampard's side and Middlesbrough.

The Suffolk club are also playing Wrexham in their next Championship game, just eight days on from meeting the Red Dragons in the FA Cup.

Ipswich Town set to be the 'winners' from Coventry vs Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough will open up a five-point lead over Coventry if they win at the CBS Arena on Monday, having previously trailed the Sky Blues by 10 points in the Championship title race.

The clash between Kim Hellberg's men and Lampard's side guarantees that at least one of them will drop points, bolstering Ipswich's chances of climbing into the top two.

Speaking on Sky Sports' Essential EFL podcast, former Sheffield Wednesday man Andy Hinchcliffe said: "I think the big winner will be Ipswich. I think it will be a draw, and I think Ipswich, with the game in hand, will be hoping that’s the case.

"I can see it being a kind of 2-2 game. I can see both sides scoring. I’m not convinced either side will win, and that could play into Ipswich’s hands, and Hull and Millwall.

"That’s what they’ll be praying for. I think it’ll be a tight game, I think it’ll be an exciting game with goals, but I don’t see a clear winner."

As alluded to by Hinchcliffe, Hull and Millwall boast a chance of moving up from the play-off places and into an automatic promotion spot.

However, unlike Ipswich, neither the Tigers nor the Lions have a game in hand over Middlesbrough and Coventry, which plays into the Tractor Boys' favour.

Middlesbrough will fancy their chances of beating Coventry City

Middlesbrough and Coventry are separated by the slender margin of just two points, so it is easy to see why Hinchcliffe has predicted a close and exciting clash between the Championship's current top-two sides.

There is also no doubt that Ipswich's automatic promotion chances would be given a major shot in the arm if the Sky Blues draw with Boro, as it would keep both sides within catching distance of the Tractor Boys.

However, Hellberg's men should back themselves to get the better of Lampard's side, even though they will be competing on away soil.

Coventry have been in poor form in recent weeks, and were held to a 0-0 draw by relegation-threatened Oxford United last Saturday, having previously suffered successive defeats against Norwich City and Queens Park Rangers.

In contrast, Boro have propelled themselves to the Championship's summit with six consecutive victories in the second tier, including heavy wins over Southampton and Preston North End.

The Riverside Stadium club were particularly impressive last time out, enjoying a 2-1 triumph over Sheffield United, who had threatened them with moments of real quality from the likes of Gustavo Hamer and Callum O'Hare.

Therefore, Middlesbrough should believe they have what it takes to beat Coventry and strengthen their grip on the Championship title.