Ipswich vs Blackburn Prediction

Ipswich vs Blackburn Prediction: Can Rovers Upset the Odds?

Welcome to our Ipswich vs Blackburn prediction, where we break down everything you need to know about this intriguing Championship fixture at Portman Road on January 17, 2026. With Ipswich aiming to cement their promotion credentials and Blackburn looking to claw their way out of trouble, this encounter promises tension, tactical tweaks, and maybe even a surprise or two. Let’s dive into the stats, team news, and, of course, our AI-powered betting tip for the match.

Form Guide and Standings: Home Comfort vs. Survival Instincts

Ipswich Town have been a force at home this season, currently sitting 3rd in the table with 44 points and a market value that dwarfs most of their Championship rivals. Their recent home record—four wins in six—tells its own story, as does their 42 goals in 25 matches. Boss Kieran McKenna has built a side that combines possession play (expect around 65% on Saturday) with direct attacking threat.

Blackburn Rovers, meanwhile, are stuck in a dogfight near the bottom, 20th with 28 points. Their recent form has seen them grind out three draws in six, but scoring remains a headache: just 24 goals from 25 outings. Still, Rovers aren’t strangers to defying the odds—just ask Leeds, who were held to a 1-1 draw by the visitors on New Year’s Day.

Head to Head: Evenly Matched, History Says

Looking at the head to head, these two sides have split their last 15 meetings evenly: five wins apiece and five draws. The most recent encounter, a 1-1 draw in December, saw late drama as Gudjohnsen’s opener for Blackburn was cancelled out by Egeli’s stoppage-time equaliser for Ipswich. If you’re a fan of Championship quirks, you’ll remember their abandoned match in September 2025—a waterlogged pitch, a red card, and a dispute that made more headlines than the football itself.

Team News: Injuries and Tactical Shifts

• Ipswich Town: George Hirst and Harry Clarke are racing to return from injuries, while Leif Davis continues to impress at left-back. Wes Burns is making his way back from a long-term ACL injury, and C. Townsend remains sidelined until April.
• Blackburn Rovers: The treatment room is busy. Matty Litherland, Ryan Hedges, and Sidnei Tavares are all out, while Gudjohnsen and Alebiosu are also unavailable. On the brighter side, Balazs Toth is pushing for a starting spot in goal, and new loan signing Eiran Cashin could make his debut.

On the tactical front, Blackburn boss Valerien Ismael has hinted at a shake-up, possibly fielding a 3-4-2-1 with Moussa Baradji and Todd Cantwell leading the line. Ipswich, for their part, will stick to their possession-based approach, hoping to avoid the flat performance McKenna lamented after the last meeting.

Betting Odds and AI Predictions: Where’s the Smart Money?

Let’s talk numbers. The betting odds heavily favor Ipswich with a home win at 1.55, a draw at 4.1, and a Blackburn victory at a tempting 7.0. But our Ipswich vs Blackburn prediction takes a closer look at the underlying trends.

• Main Tip: Under 3.5 total goals at odds of 1.32, carrying a trust score of 9.2/10. Both teams have struggled to rack up big scores in recent matches, and with Ipswich expected to control possession but Blackburn set up to frustrate, a low-scoring affair looks likely.
• 1X2 Prediction: Our AI model gives a slight edge to an away win (Blackburn) at odds of 7.0, but with a low confidence level of 1.6—so treat that as a long shot rather than a banker.
• Predicted Score: 0:1 in favor of Blackburn, with a goalless first half. Ipswich are forecast to dominate shots and possession, but football has a way of rewarding the underdog.

Key Stats to Watch

1. Ipswich: 18 shots predicted, 6 on target, 5 corners, 1 yellow card.
2. Blackburn: 9 shots, just 1 on target, 2 corners, 2 yellow cards.
3. Possession: Ipswich 65%, Blackburn 35%—expect the visitors to soak up pressure and counter.

In summary, while the betting odds and market value scream home win, our Ipswich vs Blackburn prediction leans towards a cagey, low-scoring game with potential for a surprise. If you’re looking for value, under 3.5 goals is the safest play. But don’t be shocked if Blackburn, with nothing to lose and a point to prove, pull off the upset of the weekend at Portman Road.