Ipswich Town returned to winning ways in midweek with a vital 1-0 win against Bolton Wanderers at Portman Road, courtesy of a late Jay Tabb goal.

Prior to the match, the Tractor Boys had been on a run of four games without a victory; a streak which saw them drop from third place to seventh, leaving the club outside of the play-off positions for the first time since November.

Despite the win over Bolton, the Suffolk side still sit outside of the top six, one point adrift of Brentford in the coveted final play-off berth.

With eight games to go in the Championship, Ipswich are still within touching distance of a top-six finish but recent form will undoubtedly be a concern for boss Mick McCarthy.

Alongside four losses in their last seven games, Town have failed to beat fellow play-off candidates Brentford (1-1 draw), Norwich (2-0 loss) and Middlesbrough (4-1 loss) in their recent fixtures; a worrying sign if Ipswich were to meet any of those sides in the semi-finals.

Throughout the course of the season, Town have picked up three victories against the teams currently above them in ten matches.

Despite their end of season stutter, Ipswich still boast the joint-best home record in the league, with only Middlesbrough matching their performances in front of their own fans. 

The Tractor Boys have claimed 12 wins and 40 points from a total of 19 home matches, a total of 62 per cent of their points amassed so far this campaign.

By contrast their form on the road has been inconsistent, with six wins, six draws and seven defeats from the same number of games.

It should be noted, however, five of those losses are from the club’s last six away matches, with the defeats of Fulham and Millwall their only away successes in 2015.

Ipswich have failed to keep a clean sheet away from home since December 13, a run of eight matches, and have a negative goal difference in away games. Brentford are the only other side in the top seven to have conceded mroe than they have scored.

One cause for optimism is the form of striker Daryl Murphy, the division’s leading goalscorer this season. The Irishman’s form has been scintillating, managing 23 goals from 36 matches, including two in his last three. His main opponent for the crown, Troy Deeney, trails him by four goals.

When Watford met Ipswich earlier in the season at Portman Road it was the home side that reigned victorious, with a solitary goal from defender Tommy Smith the difference in December.

The result continued Town’s unbeaten streak, one that ultimately stretched to 12 matches before being ended by Derby County in January.

Watford have a strong record against their opponents, with just two losses in their last 20 meetings, dating back to the 2004/05 Championship season.

Ipswich Town starting XI vs Bolton Wanderers (17/3/2015): Bialkowski; Chambers, Smith, Berra, Mings; Parr, Bishop, Skuse, Tabb; Sears, Murphy.