Coventry vs Ipswich match analysis & prediction, 01:00 on December 30: Alone at the top

Analysis of the match between Coventry City and Ipswich Town

Under Frank Lampard, Coventry are sitting comfortably at the top of the Championship table, holding an eight-point lead over second-placed Middlesbrough after half of the season (23 of 46 matches). The Sky Blues recently edged past Swansea 1-0 at the CBS Arena, thanks to Ephron Mason-Clark’s goal just before halftime. That result extended their unbeaten run to four matches (two wins, two draws) and kept their remarkable home record intact, with 12 unbeaten games this season, including nine wins and two draws in the Championship. Next, Lampard’s men face Ipswich, a side that made a slow start to the campaign but has since climbed to third place, cutting the gap to Coventry to 13 points. However, Kieran McKenna’s team struggled on Boxing Day, being held to a goalless draw by Millwall at The Den. Ipswich return to the CBS Arena with mixed memories, knowing that this stadium once played a key role in their push toward Premier League promotion a few years ago. Still, with the title race intensifying, they are aware that any slip-up could prove costly. This promises to be an intriguing contest for neutral fans. That said, Ipswich supporters may feel uneasy, as their team have failed to win any of their last four away matches, recording two draws and two defeats. Coventry are therefore well placed to end their four-match losing streak against Ipswich and maintain at least a six-point cushion over the chasing pack.