Ian Holloway predicts score for Leeds United Championship clash v Ipswich Town
Ian Holloway has claimed both Leeds United and Ipswich Town have too much to lose ahead of their Championship showdown at Elland Road on 23 December.
The former Blackpool boss insisted he can only see the result ending level, as both sets of players will rise to the occasion in what may prove to be a must-win game for both sides at this stage of the season.
Ipswich currently occupy second place in the league, with Leeds in third but ten points behind, and the Yorkshire club could need a win to continue their hunt for automatic promotion.
Speaking to Football League World [20 December], Holloway shared: “It should be a great game. Both teams have almost too much to lose at this stage, I can only see it ending even. I think all the players will rise to the occasion.
“I’m going for Leeds 1-1 Ipswich.”
It will be closely-fought
Holloway is right, despite still being in the early stages of the season, this could be a must-win game for both clubs, with plenty at risk, suggesting neither club will want to throw caution to the wind as they have too much to lose.
This can often result in a cagey affair, and despite the goalscoring potential in both teams which stood out when Leeds ran out 4-3 winners at Portman Road earlier this season, the risk versus reward issue may be one that makes them pull on the reigns slightly.
Leeds’ recent record has begun to stutter after a 1-0 defeat to Sunderland and a 1-1 draw with Coventry, while Ipswich drew their most recent game in the East Anglia derby, so both sides will be looking for a return to winning ways.
The battle at the top of the Championship always throws up entertaining games and surprise results so this one is difficult to call, but the suggestion that it will be an entertaining game while remaining tight and difficult on both ends is the most likely outcome.
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