Ahead of Saturday's clash with Ipswich Town, we take a look at some of the big talking points heading into the game...
- First competitive East Anglian clash since 1993…
It has been 28 years since the U’s and Ipswich last played against each other in a competitive match, when the two sides faced off for a two-legged League Cup tie in the Autumn of 1993.
It was Ipswich who comfortably progressed through to the next round, after a 2-1 home win was followed up a 2-0 win at the Abbey Stadium.
Those two defeats are the only ones that the U’s have tasted against the Blues though, as through five competitive meetings in total, the U’s have won two and drawn one of the other three.
This season is only the second time that the clubs have met in the same division, the other coming in the 1991/1992 Second Division, when United went unbeaten against Ipswich across two games, thanks to a 2-1 away win and 1-1 home draw.
Anticipation across the region is high for Saturday’s match, which has been proven by a first sell-out crowd at the Abbey Stadium since 2017.
- Tractorboys finding form…
After getting off to a slow start to the season which saw Paul Cook’s men go eight games without a win, the pre-season promotion favourites have now started to pick up steam.
Four wins from their past six games, including a 6-0 win against Doncaster, has eased the pressure at Portman Road ahead of Saturday’s match.
Ipswich's form has seen them move up the table into 14th place, level on points with United having played a game more.
- Lankester may miss reunion
Jack Lankester’s availability for Saturday’s match is in question after coming across a problem in training last week, meaning he may not be able to face up against his former team.
Mark Bonner said, “He took a bit of a knock last week in training so we just have to see how he is this Thursday and Friday to see if he is fit enough to be selected.”
For Lankester, who has just begun to find his feet with the U’s, this would come as a blow considering his long-standing ties to the visitors.
- Bonne on fire…
QPR loanee Macaulay Bonne has started his season with Ipswich in fine form, scoring 9 goals in 10 games to move into joint-top of the League One goalscoring charts.
Bonne has scored just shy of 50% of his team’s total goals, including match-winning contributions against Shrewsbury and Lincoln in recent weeks.
For the U’s to have success this Saturday, it will be vital that Mark Bonner's defence keeps the Ipswich-born striker in check.