Promoted Burnley to lend Ipswich a hand in their Premier League bid
Published:Burnley are assured of second place in the Championship but their contribution to this season’s promotion battle hasn’t concluded as they sign off against play-off hopefuls Ipswich and Reading.
Ipswich are the first to try to capitalise on the runners-up’s lack of incentive and are an attractive 21/10 to prevail, with the draw 23/10 and the Clarets 5/4 to win their final second-tier home fixture.
The Premier League-bound side have been uncharitable hosts for much of the campaign, yet became more welcoming over the last month as a top-two finish neared, giving up an unbeaten Turf Moor league record with successive defeats to Leicester and Middlesbrough.
While they breezed past each of the division’s bottom nine teams, Sean Dyche’s men have found entertaining clubs 15th or higher significantly tougher, winning just five of their 13 such clashes and none of those by a margin bigger than two goals.
Ipswich are ninth, two points behind Reading in the last play-off berth, but encouraged by the fact that both of their remaining regular-season opponents have little to play for, with 15th-placed Sheffield Wednesday visiting Portman Road on the final day.
Recent away success has been key to keeping the Tractor Boys in contention, with three victories achieved in their last five road trips at the expense of Yeovil, Huddersfield and positional rivals Brighton.
They didn’t concede when conquering that trio, while Burnley were shut out in their aforementioned losses to Leicester and Middlesbrough, so those desiring chunkier odds should consider 9/2 on the Ipswich win to nil.
Under 2.5 goals packs plenty of appeal at 4/5 having been a staple of Burnley’s last seven games.
Meanwhile, goalscorer bet aficionados should focus their gaze on the 7/4 for Daryl Murphy to net at any time and, more specifically, the 6/1 offered for him to be last goalscorer, as he was in their last two travelling triumphs.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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