“Finally easy games” – Ipswich’s upcoming run under fresh scrutiny in Championship title race
Ipswich Town’s bid to return to the summit of the Championship has hit a stumble after a 1-0 loss to Preston, leaving them unable to reclaim first place. With rivals Coventry and Middlesbrough also chasing the top spots, fans and pundits alike are eyeing the schedule — could Ipswich’s next fixtures offer a reprieve or yet another obstacle?
📅 The next five fixtures for Ipswich Town
According to the published 2025/26 fixture list, Ipswich’s upcoming five Championship matches are:
* Home matches are at Portman Road; away matches at the opponent’s ground.
Notably, the derby against Norwich (5 October) recently occurred and isn’t counted among the “next five.”
🔍 Fixture difficulty: real “easy games” or hidden traps?
Fans might have hoped the schedule would ease the pressure following the Preston setback, but the picture is mixed:
Middlesbrough away will be a stern test. They’re among the teams vying for promotion, so this is far from a soft opener. Charlton and West Brom are more manageable on paper — neither are automatic favourites in the promotion race. QPR away is tricky: their home form and experience in tight matches could pose a danger. Watford is a midtable side capable of causing upsets.
So while three of the next five fixtures seem workable, two (Middlesbrough and QPR away) look far from “easy.”
⚖️ Contrasting paths: Coventry & Middlesbrough
Coventry City enjoy a softer-looking run in the near term. Their upcoming matches include home games against Blackburn and Watford, and a trip to Portsmouth. Middlesbrough have a tougher slate, with matches like Sheffield Wednesday and the match against Ipswich already on the card.
In short: Ipswich’s schedule is not the easiest among title contenders, but it offers opportunities — if they can seize them.
📌 Final word
The concept of “finally easy games” is tempting, especially after a setback. But in a tight title race, few matches are truly simple. Ipswich must treat each fixture with respect. The upcoming five give them a mix of winnable and dangerous encounters — and their performance across those will tell whether they remain genuine contenders or fade into the chasing pack.
