Ipswich seek traction

Ipswich Town come to The Valley tomorrow seeking traction for their youthful squad tomorrow: Tractors

A mixed season currently sees them placed 12th in the Championship, although they would rather look up than down. Four Four Two saw them finishing sixth at the beginning of the season. Last year their problem was scoring goals on their travels. They scored just 14, the lowest total in the league.

However, they have already scored 11 goals away this season. They have emerged as something of away draw specialists, drawing four, winning one and losing three.

Mick McCarthy will be looking for an improved return from his Tractor Boys, who have won one of their last seven, although they are unbeaten in four away. The dramatic 3-2 win over Blackpool at Bloomfield Road on 9 November was Ipswich's first away win of the season, and sets up the possibility of their first back-to-back on the road victories in this calendar year. They are one of four sides without an away clean sheet this term in the second tier.

Charlton and Ipswich first met in 1957 and since then each side has won 15 of the 38 fixtures.

Ben Alnwick will be in goal for the Addicks with Ben Hamer out for at least two weeks with ligament damage. Alnwick did everything he was required to do against Doncaster, but was not tested that much. Chris Solly is now training, but some way off playing.

Odds: Charlton 6/4, Draw 23/10, Ipswich 7/4. I am going for a 2-1 win for Charlton.