Overview
The distraction of the Carling Cup visit of Manchester United is out the way, now back to the more important matters of the league. Confidence should still be high in the side after a good showing against the Red Devils, a similarly attacking approach should give the Iron every hope of getting something from this game.
Iron team news
There were no injuries during Wednesday's Carling Cup win over Manchester United. Rob Jones appears fit after his knee problem but Niall Canavan has impressed in his place in the centre of defence. Garry Thompson is a long-term asbentee with a groin injury but left-back Jim McNulty could be back in contention after an ankle injury.
Tractor Boys team news
The midfielder Jake Livemore, signed on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, will go straight into Roy Keane's squad.
Ipswich Town in profile
Established: 1878
Nickname: Tractor Boys
Historical achievements: The Tractor Boys were elected into the Football League in May 1938, and establised themselves in Division Two after promotion in 1956/57. The arrival of a certain Alf Ramsey as manager had been the catalyst for that surge in fortunes, and he lead them to the top flight as champions in 1960/61. They enjoyed immediate success in Division One, winning the title in their first season. Ramsey left Portman Road in 1963 to take charge of the England team - who went on to win the World Cup in 1966 - and Ipswich lost momentum. After a few years outside the top flight Ipswich returned under Bill McGarry. His departure for Wolves created an opportunity for Bobby Robson. The league title remained evasive for Robson, but his time in charge was arguably the greatest in the club's history - winning the FA Cup in 1978 and the Uefa Cup in 1981. Ipswich again suffered from their manager leaving to take charge of England - Robson went on to lead the Three Lions to the 1990 World Cup final, while Ipswich have spent the 30 years since as a yo-yo club between the top two divisions.
Manager: Roy Keane
Ipswich are second in the table and have not lost away from home. Chris Dagnall remains the Iron's top scorer with four goals in all competitions, with Martyn Woolford and Jonathan Forte all on three.
Past meetings
The statistics suggest a tough afternoon for the Iron, who have only beaten the Tractor Boys once - that was back in August 1960, when they were dispatched 4-0 at the Old Showground. Two of the six home meetings have finished in draws, including last season's 1-1 stalemate.
Click here for our full record of meetings between the two sides
Referee
Mark Haywood (West Yorkshire)
Betting
Scunthorpe
United 15/8 / Draw 11/5 / Scunthorpe United 7/5 (Paddy Power)
Elsewhere in the Championship
Cardiff City could remain without star loan signing Craig Bellamy for the visit of Millwall, with Bluebirds boss Dave Jones suggesting his knee problem was aggravated while trying to impress Manchester City in pre-season. He has been out for three weeks, and will have his fitness assessed on Saturday afternoon. Leicester City return to Portsmouth on Friday night four days after knocking them out of the Carling Cup, both sides are in the relegation zone going into the game.
Competitive English football on TV this weekend
Friday: Portsmouth v Leicester City (Championship, Sky Sports 3)
Saturday: Manchester City v Chelsea (Premier League, 12.45pm, Sky Sport 2)
Sunday: Bolton Wanderers v Manchester United (Premier League, 12noon, ESPN)
Wolves v Aston Villa (Premier League, 2.05pm, Sky Sports 1)
Newcastle United v Stoke City (Premier League, 4.10pm, Sky Sports 1)