Ipswich Town host Nottingham Forest at Portman Road on Friday evening in a Premier League fixture. The team currently sits 10th in the Premier League with 9 points from seven games, a record of three wins and four losses.
Sitting 10th in the table with nine points from seven games, Ipswich's form has been inconsistent. Their recent form over the last five matches shows two wins and three losses. Their most recent outing was a narrow 3-2 defeat away to champions Manchester City on Saturday 17 October. Daizen Maeda and Zian Flemming, from the penalty spot, scored the goals that day. Before that, they secured a dramatic 2-1 comeback win over Fulham at Portman Road on Saturday 10 October, with Abdoul Ouattara and Dara O'Shea netting late. Their other recent results include a 1-0 loss at Everton on 19 September, a 2-4 home defeat to Arsenal on 15 September, and a 3-2 win at Crystal Palace on 12 September.
Nottingham Forest arrive in Suffolk positioned 18th and without a win in their last three league matches. They lost 1-0 at home to Arsenal last weekend.
McKenna is expected to field a strong side. The team that started against Manchester City featured Walton in goal, with a back four of O'Shea, Diop and Greaves. Florentino and Palacios anchored the midfield, supporting attackers Davis, Maeda, Enciso and Emersonn.
Forest's last lineup included Sels, Jair, Diomande and Murillo in defence, with McAtee and Nicolas Dominguez in midfield supporting striker Delap.
Friday's game presents a clear opportunity for Ipswich to climb the standings. A win would see them pull further away from the relegation zone and close the gap on the European places, though they currently trail leaders Manchester City by 12 points. Their next match after this is another key home fixture, details of which are on the club's fixtures schedule.
The team will be aiming to start strongly and improve a defensive record that has seen them concede 15 goals this season, having scored 11 for a goal difference of minus four.
