G.M's Match Preview: Tough Task For Rams To Triumph Over Ipswich
Saturday, 10th Jan 2015 00:28 by Geroge Martin

Derby faces a tough away trip to Portman Road in front of the sky sports cameras for a second versus third clash.

In their most recent outing last Saturday, Derby made a number of changes for the FA cup tie and scraped through with a last gasp penalty from Martin. For this crucial league clash a number of Derby regular players will return to the starting 11 for this game.

Ipswich produced a fine display in their last match drawing 1-1 with premiership high flyers Southampton. Ipswich also made changes for that game and certain players will be looking to return.

Grant should return in goal for Derby with Christie and Forsyth in the fullback positions. With Darren Bent signing on loan, Derby have the option of starting with a 4-4-2 formation, however I believe the coaching set up will stick with the tried and tested 4-3-2-1 and if things are not working out, they can opt for Bent from the bench.

Russell and Ibe should start out wide with the likelihood of Eustace, Bryson and Hendrick playing as a central three. That leaves, Bent, Ward, Dawkins, Hughes, Mascarell, Shotton and Roos on what looks like a very solid bench.

It would be very interesting though if a 4-4-2 was opted for from the start and Derby took the game too Ipswich. As a fellow fan said to me this week, "we attack better than we defend, so why not go for it with Martin, Bent, Ibe and Russell from the start?!" I found myself agreeing, but I was not keen on feeling like I was putting all my eggs in one basket. We will see.........

Mick McCarthy seems likely to go back to the team which beat Charlton 3-0 at home in their last league outing. Shot stopper Bartosz Bialkowski will return in goal behind a defence that consists of captain Luke Chambers at right-back with Tommy Smith and Christophe Berra at the centre of the defence.

The most likely change from the eleven who faced Charlton is Tyrone Mings retaining his place having returned at Southampton and Jonny Parr being amongst the subs. Mings has been linked with a big money move to Arsenal so he will be one to watch out for.

In central midfield, Cole Skuse and Teddy Bishop should come back into the team with Paul Anderson on the right and Jay Tabb on the left. Championship Player of the Month for December Daryl Murphy and David McGoldrick will be up front and both of them can score goals. The Rams defence will have to be one their toes and focused for the full 90 minutes.

Murphy can score all types of goals and has scored 17 so far this season while McGoldrick has found the net only 7 times this season but scored many goals last season. He was the subject of a touted move to Leicester in the summer and this may have messed with his head slightly, so hence the lack of goals this term.

Noel Hunt is likely to come back into the 18 having re-signed on Thursday, after leaving Leeds a day previously, while Connor Sammon is ineligible due to the terms of his loan agreement so will not be available for selection.

If Derby have numerical advantage in the centre of midfield then this is where they need to dominate. This did happen against Birmingham, but clearly did not against Middlesbrough. They will need to challenge for every first ball and get to the second ball on more occasions than their well organised opposition.

This is where the positional nous and experience of Eustace could come into play. If he can get his foot on the ball, win his tackles and read the game, then that will allow the likes of Bryson, Ibe, Martin, Hendrick and Russell to do what they do best - attack and create chances!

If the midfield battle is lost then it could be a very difficult afternoon. Derby also need to be very aware from all set pieces as this is where Ipswich are likely to cause problems as they did when equalising in the 1-1 draw at the iPro earlier in the season.

Ipswich have only lost one game in their last 21and are unbeaten in their last 10 at Portman Road. Therefore on this occasion, and I’m sorry fellow Rams fans, I am predicting a win for the home side.

However, last time I tipped against Derby away, they won 4-0 at Birmingham.

Hopefully, I'll be wrong again!

Enjoy the game.

League Form / Match Stats:

Ipswich — 2nd (W, D, W, W, W ):

The last time Ipswich lost to Derby at Portman Road was in October of 2012 when the Rams triumphed 2-1.

Derby are going to have to snap the home teams impressive run of only 1 loss in 21 matches which includes being unbeaten in 10 at Portman Road, winning the last 5.

Derby — 3rd (W, L, D, W, W):

Of the last 4 matches played in Ipswich — it’s all square with 2 wins each.

The Rams are unbeaten in their last 4 matches, winning the last 3.

After a couple of poor away performances, The Rams snapped the trend with an emphatic 4-0 win on Boxing Day over Birmingham.