How Ipswich will look to hurt Southampton's automatic promotion hopes

Although failing to win would not mathematically kill their chances, it would give them an almighty mountain to climb heading into the final eight games of the season.

There is no better way for Southampton to cut the gap between them and their more favoured promotion rivals than taking points from them at their own ground.

But the same thing goes for league leaders Ipswich, who will be hoping to extend the gap between themselves and any other side gunning for the automatic spots.

The Tractor Boys have only lost twice over the last two months, a run of form that sees them 10 points ahead of Russell Martin's Saints.

We have taken a look at some of the ways Ipswich will look to hurt Southampton's hopes of automatic promotion...

What can Southampton learn from their earlier defeat?

Ipswich winger Wes Burns described Southampton as "easy to read" after they secured a 1-0 win in the reverse fixture. 

Kieran McKenna's side rocked up at St Mary's with a willingness to press Saints and set traps for their passing play.

“It was easy to read where their passes were going, and you saw a lot of the time that they were kicking balls away, off the field or straight to us because we’re shutting angles that we know they want to play."

Wes Burns (right) explained why Saints were easy to read earlier this season (Image: PA)

The only goal of the game, scored by Omari Hutchinson, came from Southampton playing straight into Ipswich's press.

As seen in the series of images below, Shea Charles runs straight into three Ipswich players because he has no options to pass to.

He has the ball pinched from him, allowing Hutchinson to get an effort off, which rolls under Gavin Bazunu.

Shea Charles runs into three Ipswich players (Image: Saints Play) Conor Chaplin rolls through to Omari Hutchinson after Ipswich win the ball (Image: Saints Play)

Omari Hutchinson beats Kyle Walker-Peters to the ball and fires past Gavin Bazunu (Image: Saints Play)

A high press style is something that other teams have had joy from against Southampton in recent defeats.

Bristol City and Hull City both put a great deal of pressure on Saints as they tried to play out from the back and scored goals because of it.

Deploying another centre-back could help alleviate the numbers advantage Ipswich will have in the press and avoid a similar thing happening on Monday evening. 

Who are Ipswich's danger men?

On paper, Ipswich have the weakest side of the four teams aiming for automatic promotion to the Premier League.

But that has not hindered their upward momentum having gained promotion from League One last season.

Portsmouth academy graduate Conor Chaplin continues to play a central role for the Tractor Boys after netting 26 league goals last campaign.

The 27 year old, who has missed just one game all season, has provided 21 goal contributions (13 goals and eight assists) so far this term.

Chaplin is deployed as a second striker for Ipswich, just behind their man number nine. That gives them four true attackers - alongside a striker and two wingers - to match Southampton's four defenders.

Conor Chaplin's heat map for Ipswich Town this season (Image: Sofascore)As seen from the heat map above, Chaplin is comfortable drifting into the right side. This will put extra strain on Southampton's midfielders, notably Downes, who will have to follow him into the wide spaces.

Kieffer Moore will play in front of Chaplin and is about as imposing a box threat as you will get in the Championship. The Welsh international stands at 6ft 4 and will stick his head on just about anything.

Southampton's centre-back pairing will have their work cut out in trying to deal with the Cherries loanee. Of Moore's 34 shots this season, 33 of those have come in the box - 55 per cent of those efforts being headers.

Kieffer Moore's shot map from efforts inside the box (Image: Fotmob)

On average, Moore wins 65 per cent of his aerial duels. By contrast, Jan Bednarek wins 59 per cent, Taylor Harwood-Bellis wins 60.2 per cent and Jack Stephens wins 93.8 per cent.

What these stats don't show is that Moore averages more aerial duels per 90 minutes than all three Southampton defenders combined.

Moore's heading ability also creates chances for his teammates. In the image below a long throw to Moore (circled) draws in two defenders, allowing Hutchinson to run into space.

Kieffer Moore draws players in and creates space for his attacking teammate to exploit (Image: Ipswich Town)The Jamaican international gets on the end of the flick-on and buries the one-on-one. This is a tactic Ipswich could use to catch out Saints in transition. 

Left-back Leif Davis is the leading creative force for Ipswich this season. The former Leeds man has notched the most assists in the Championship.

Unsurprisingly, the 24 year old ranks in the top 99 percentile for shot-creating actions per 90 minutes (4.76) when compared to players outside of the top five divisions.

His threat going forward will force Southampton's right winger to track back. Adam Armstrong could be picked on that side for his relentless energy and willingness to defend.

Kyle Walker-Peters will also have his work cut out keeping Nathan Broadhead at bay. The left winger plays in front of Davis and enjoys cutting in on his right, leaving space for Davis to come on the overlap.

In the series of images below you can see how quickly Ipswich are able to create a chance by switching the play. Broadhead (circled) is more narrow which leaves space for Davis on the left. 

He then cuts the ball back to Chaplin, who has held his run to create space for an effort from the edge of the box.

Nathan Broadhead's narrow position gives Leif Davis space to create a goal-scoring opportunity (Image: EFL)Conor Chaplin's is in space on the edge of the box to shoot thanks to his well-timed run (Image: EFL)