One of the original members of the Premier League could be making its grand return next year with a positive result on Saturday.
Ipswich Town, who were promoted into the newly-created Premier League in 1992, have a chance to secure automatic promotion with a win or draw against Huddersfield Town on Saturday, May 4 at Portman Road. It would be Ipswich's first time back in the Premier League since the end of the 2001-2002 season, when they finished 18th and dropped down to the Championship (then called the First Division).
If Ipswich finish in second place in the Championship, it would also be another milestone with back-to-back promotions. Last season, Ipswich finished first in League One to earn promotion to England's second division.
Ipswich have a great opportunity on Saturday because they are facing a club that is almost certain to be relegated. While not mathematically confirmed, Huddersfield Town would need to win, both Birmingham City and Plymouth Argyle to lose, and to make up a 15-goal deficit in the goal differential between Huddersfield and Plymouth.
With so much on the line, this is a game you won't want to miss. The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including how to watch it across the world, kickoff times and the latest lineup news.
What time does Ipswich vs Huddersfield kick off?
All 12 games on the final day of the EFL Championship season will kick off at the same time - 12:30 p.m. BST.
Here's how that time translates across some of the major territories:
Date | Kickoff time | |
USA | Sat, May 4 | 7:30 a.m. ET |
Canada | Sat, May 4 | 7:30 a.m. ET |
UK | Sat, May 4 | 12:30 p.m. BST |
Australia | Sat, May 4 | 9:30 p.m. AEST |
Ipswich Town vs Huddersfield live stream, TV channel
Here's how to watch this EFL Championship match across selected areas of the world's major regions:
Region | TV | Streaming |
USA | ESPN2, ESPN Deportes | ESPN+, Fubo |
Canada | — | |
UK | Sky Sports Main Event | Sky GO, Now TV |
Australia | BeIN Sports 2 | BeIN Sports Connect |
USA: This game is available to watch on ESPN2 and the ESPN+ app. You can access the app on your mobile device or via a Roku, AppleTV, or Amazon Fire TV or Stick.
For Spanish viewers the match will be shown on ESPN Deportes. Both ESPN channels can be streamed on Fubo with new subscribers able to sign up to a FREE trial.
Canada: This game is available on DAZN Canada.
UK: Fans can watch this game on Sky Sports Main Event on TV, with streaming options on Sky GO and Now TV.
Australia: BeIN Sports 2 will be showing the match with additional options on their streaming platforms.
Ipswich vs Huddersfield lineups, team news
Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna has done a brilliant job to guide his team from new entrants in the Championship to on the verge of the Premier League. He's likely to stick with the team that's gotten him to this point, with midfielder Massimo Luongo playing a huge role along with Leif Davis and Kieffer Moore.
Ipswich Town predicted XI (4-3-3, right to left): Hladkey (GK) — Tuanzebe, Edmundson, Burgess, Davis — Morsy, Luongo, Hutchinson — Burns, Moore, Broadhead.
Ipswich Town subs (9): TBC
Huddersfield coach Andre Breitenreiter announced that veteran backup goalkeeper Chris Maxwell will start in the final game of the season.
Huddersfield predicted XI (3-5-2 right to left): Maxwell (GK) — Pearson, Helik, Spencer — Turton, Matos, Rudoni, Kasumu, Koroma — Ward, Healey.
Huddersfield subs (9): TBC
Ipswich vs Huddersfield prediction
With the bright lights of the Premier League ahead, this is Ipswich's moment to secure a second-consecutive promotion. And with their fans at their back and a pitch invasion likely to come, we can expect the Tractor Boys to give their fans something to cheer about.
Prediction: Ipswich 2-0 Huddersfield
EFL Championship promotion race latest
Here's how the table looks ahead of the final day of action:
Position | Team | MP | Pts | GD |
1. | Leicester City (C) | 45 | 97 | +50 |
2. | Ipswich Town | 45 | 93 | +33 |
3. | Leeds United | 45 | 90 | +39 |
4. | Southampton | 45 | 84 | +23 |
5. | Norwich City | 45 | 73 | +16 |
6. | West Brom | 45 | 72 | +20 |
Ipswich will confirm second place if they win or draw at home to Huddersfield. Defeat could block their automatic promotion, but only if Leeds win at home to Southampton, as the Yorkshire side have a higher goal difference.
Both teams are already guaranteed a playoff spot, alongside Southampton, with Norwich City and West Brom only needing a one point maximum to seal their playoff position.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Learn more >