Ipswich Town head into their clash with Millwall looking to build momentum during a demanding festive period, and Kieran McKenna may be tempted to freshen things up with at least one notable change to his starting XI. One name firmly in the frame is young winger Azon, who looks poised to be handed a start after catching the eye in recent appearances.
Town have managed their squad carefully across a busy run of fixtures, balancing consistency with rotation, and McKenna has been clear that performance levels in training and from the bench will be rewarded. Azon’s energy, directness and willingness to take on defenders have stood out, making him a strong candidate to inject pace and unpredictability against a typically physical Millwall side.
In terms of availability, Ipswich are still monitoring a few fitness concerns. George Hirst is expected to remain sidelined as he continues his recovery, while there may also be minutes managed for players who have featured heavily over the Christmas schedule. Despite that, the Blues are not short of attacking options, and McKenna has spoken previously about trusting the depth of his squad in moments like this.
Defensively, Ipswich are likely to stick with a familiar shape. Vaclav Hladky should continue between the posts, offering calm distribution and leadership from the back. In front of him, the central defensive pairing is expected to remain unchanged, with the manager valuing continuity at the heart of the defence against Millwall’s aerial threat. Full-backs will once again be key, providing both defensive solidity and attacking width when Ipswich look to dominate possession.
Midfield is where McKenna may rotate subtly rather than drastically. Sam Morsy’s influence as captain remains crucial, especially in a fixture that often becomes scrappy and intense. Alongside him, there could be a decision to make between control and creativity, depending on how aggressive Ipswich want to be from the outset. The aim will be to win second balls, move the ball quickly, and prevent Millwall from settling into a direct rhythm.
Further forward, all eyes will be on the wide areas. This is where Azon’s potential inclusion becomes particularly significant. His pace could stretch Millwall’s back line and create space for runners from midfield. On the opposite flank, Ipswich are likely to retain experience and composure, ensuring balance in the front line rather than wholesale change.
Up front, Town may once again opt for a fluid attacking approach rather than a traditional number nine, depending on availability and tactical considerations. Movement, pressing from the front, and intelligent link-up play will be prioritised, especially against a Millwall defence that thrives on physical duels.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1):
Hladky; Tuanzebe, Woolfenden, Burgess, Davis; Morsy, Luongo; Azon, Chaplin, Burns; Moore
Ultimately, the possible decision to start Azon reflects Ipswich Town’s broader philosophy under McKenna: rewarding form, trusting youth, and remaining flexible. Against Millwall, energy and intensity will be just as important as technical quality, and giving Azon the nod could be a statement of intent as Town look to secure another important result.
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