Southampton vs Ipswich Town LIVE commentary: Kick-off time and team news plus promotion implications

Ipswich Town can all but secure a place back in the Premier League on Tuesday evening with a win over Southampton.

But the Saints are one of England’s most in-form teams, with their own automatic promotion hopes on the line in this game.

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Tonda Eckert’s side have flown up the Championship in recent months, with them narrowly losing their first match since January 17 in the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City on Saturday.

They’re on a 17-game unbeaten streak in the league heading into this crucial clash with Ipswich, who have been faltering.

The Tractor Boys have only won one of their last four in the run-in, leaving them vulnerable to slipping into the play-offs.

It means this meeting between two sides hoping to bounce straight back to the top-flight is set up to be a thriller.

Southampton vs Ipswich: Promotion six-pointer

As things stand in the Championship, Ipswich would be promoted to the Premier League automatically on goal difference.

Their +30 goal difference trumps Millwall‘s +13, with both on 80 points heading into the final week of the season.

Just behind them are the charging Southampton, who sit on 76 points and are still in with a chance of automatic promotion.

If the Saints beat Ipswich on Tuesday, they’ll move on to 79 points, just one behind their opponents and Millwall.

They would also move level with Middlesbrough, seeing four teams all with a chance to finish second on the final day.

If Ipswich win, they’ll be all but promoted already going into the weekend, while a draw puts the Tractor Boys in the driving seat for automatics and forces Southampton to settle for the play-offs.

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Southampton vs Ipswich: Team news

Flynn Downes is suspended for Southampton, so he will miss out, along with the injured Jack Stephens.

It means Shea Charles is likely to start, with Cyle Larin leading the line after coming off the bench in the FA Cup semi-final.

As for Ipswich, Leif Davis remains a doubt, with Conor Townsend and Ashley Young still sidelined due to long-term injuries.

Southampton vs Ipswich: What has been said?

Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna was asked about the pressure in the race for promotion ahead of the big game.

“We’re human beings,” McKenna said in his press conference. “It’s impossible to completely block out external noise.

“It will touch them [the players]. But this is what you want at this stage of the season.”

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Southampton vs Ipswich: talkSPORT coverage

This Championship clash will take place on Tuesday, April 28.

Kick-off at St. Mary’s Stadium is scheduled for 7:45pm.

talkSPORT 2 will have live coverage of the game, with commentary coming from Ian Danter and former Chelsea defender Scott Minto.

To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream. 

You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

Fans can watch the game on Sky Sports Main Event too.