Boro v Ipswich: Four key battles where the game could be won and lost

Two teams going for promotion, two teams who've stuttered through the last few weeks - Boro v Ipswich is perfectly poised.

And how crucial a game it could prove to be as Boro look to kick off the 'Week of Destiny' in the best possible fashion.

The Tractor Boys are organised and hard to break down, everything you would expect from a Mick McCarthy side.

Yet they suddenly find themselves in desperate need of points after tumbling out of the play-off places. Indeed, McCarthy admits the top two - places they occupied for a long stint of the season - will be out of reach if his side lose at Boro tomorrow.

The game is just as important for Boro. With Bournemouth surely picking up all the points at home to basement boys Blackpool and Watford welcoming Reading, Boro will be looking to keep pace at the top.

We've identified four key battles where tomorrow's game could be won and lost.

Daryl Murphy v Ben Gibson

What a ding-dong this could prove to be. The Championship's most lethal striker pitting his wits against the best defence in the league.

Murphy came out on top when these sides met earlier in the campaign but that was an afternoon when Boro were below-par all over the pitch.

Daniel Ayala could return and, if deemed fit, is likely to partner Gibson at the heart of the defence.

How to keep Murphy quiet? The big striker isn't the most pleasing on the eye but makes his presence felt and would be more than happy to get amongst it if Ipswich opt to bombard balls forward.

And he's got a point to prove. After what is surely the miss of the season last week against Brentford, Murphy was challenged to put it behind him and score the winner against Boro by boss Mick McCarthy.

Gibson is out to prevent him doing exactly that. Boro's classy young centre-half can get the better of any striker when he's on song. Let's hope tomorrow is one of those days.

Jay Tabb v Grant Leadbitter

We all know the importance of Grant Leadbitter to Boro and Jay Tabb's role is just as vital in making Ipswich tick.

The pint-sized midfielder is a terrier in the middle of the park who's not one for shying out of a crunching challenge.

His goalscoring record is nowhere near as impressive as Leadbitter's this season. In fact, his header against Boro in December was the only time he's hit the net in the current campaign.

But while the goals scored column is weighted heavily in Leadbitter's favour, the pair have both notched up impressive numbers elsewhere.

Boro's skipper has won 77.6% of tackles this year while Tabb has come out on top in £76.5% of challenges and they've both been in the right place at the right time to make some key interceptions.

While both players aren't the type to shirk a challenge, Leadbitter has out-passed his rival, making 1,853 passes compared to the 857 of Tabb.

And he's more of a threat in the final third, having more than double the number of shots on goal than Tabb has managed this year.

Not many players get the better of Leadbitter in the middle of the park. Jay Tabb will have his work cut out tomorrow.

Tyrone Mings v Tomas Kalas

Kalas, Nsue, even Dean Whitehead - whoever gets the nod at right-back for Boro will have two attacking threats to be aware of against Ipswich.

As well as having to keep a close eye on Jonathan Parr, Tyrone Mings will be sticking his skates on and taking every possible opportunity to bomb forward down the flank.

The man who Arsenal were said to be preparing to splash out £10m on has had another impressive season for Ipswich.

He doesn't forget his defensive duties, winning 85% of his tackles this year and making 113 clearances, but he's just as useful in the final third.

After Michail Antonio caused all sorts of problems down that left side for Forest last week, Karanka may choose to try and nullify the threat down that side by opting for Kalas instead of Nsue.

Whoever plays on the right of the three-pronged attack behind the striker also has a role to play.

Whether it's Bamford or Adomah, giving Mings plenty to think about in regards to defending his own goal should prevent him from threatening the other.

Christophe Berra v Patrick Bamford

Bamford, Kike, Vossen - whoever leads the line for Boro tomorrow will feel they've got a point to prove after this week.

Aitor Karanka has repeatedly backed his strikers this season but has now admitted that scoring goals is a problem.

So it proved last week when, despite dominating throughout, Boro couldn't add a second goal to Leadbitter's fortuitous opener.

Whether he starts as the orthodox striker or plays off the right hand side tomorrow, Bamford is the most likely to get on the scoresheet.

In Christophe Berra he will come up against a reliable and solid centre-half. The former £2.3m man is one of the first names on the teamsheet for McCarthy.

It's rather unfair to compare defensive records with Boro seen as though Karanka's side possess the stand-out backline in the league by a considerable margin but McCarthy will be pleased to have conceded just 39 goals by this stage of the campaign.

"They’ve got the best home defence, let's see if we can breach it," said the Ipswich boss ahead of the game.

At the same time he'll be calling on his defenders to stand firm against Boro's strikers who will be undoubtedly desperate to impress.