Ipswich Promotion Near After Southampton Play-off Draw

Ipswich is now very close to promotion after drawing 1-1 with Southampton. This is the second 1-1 draw between them this season.
By Newsroom | Football, England |

Southampton's direct promotion hopes have been dashed, cementing their place in the play-offs following a 2-2 draw against Ipswich Town. This result, published on 28/04/2026, means Ipswich is on the cusp of promotion, with their fate hanging on the final day of the season. A win for Ipswich against QPR, coupled with specific outcomes for Millwall and Middlesbrough, would guarantee their ascent.

Ipswich comeback sends Southampton to play-offs as autos race goes to final day - 1

The recent match between Southampton and Ipswich concluded with a 1-1 draw, a repeat of a previous encounter on 17 August 2025. In that earlier fixture, Ipswich took an early lead through an own goal by Southampton's Taylor Harwood-Bellis, who inadvertently deflected a George Hirst cross into his own net. Jay Robinson later equalised for Southampton. The 2025 report highlights Hirst's instrumental role in creating the opening goal, intercepting a pass and delivering a cross that led to the own goal. The match also noted an own goal from Harwood-Bellis after a poor pass from Wellington, which ultimately handed Ipswich the lead.

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Ipswich comeback sends Southampton to play-offs as autos race goes to final day - 2

While Ipswich had a strong start in the 2025 encounter, with opportunities for Hirst and Szmodics, Southampton's goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu made key saves. The defensive struggles for Southampton were evident, with Harwood-Bellis losing possession in dangerous areas.

Ipswich comeback sends Southampton to play-offs as autos race goes to final day - 3

Ipswich has not secured a home win in 2026, their last home victory being a notable win against Chelsea in December. Despite this home form, the team's performance suggests a strong season overall. The manager, Kieran McKenna, acknowledged the significant shift in challenge compared to their League One promotion-winning campaign.

Historical Context and Fixture Details

The initial fixture between these two clubs, relegated from the Premier League the previous season, ended in a 1-1 draw at Portman Road. The match saw an early own goal from Taylor Harwood-Bellis following a pass error, leading to a cross from George Hirst that struck Harwood-Bellis and went in. Jay Robinson eventually scored the equaliser for Southampton. Details of the recent fixture, including team news and live updates, were available through BBC Sport and Sky Sports. Live score and head-to-head information was also accessible via Sofascore.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Southampton go to the play-offs instead of getting promoted directly?
Southampton drew 1-1 with Ipswich Town on 28/04/2026. This result means they cannot get into the top two spots needed for direct promotion and will now play in the play-offs.
Q: How close is Ipswich to getting promoted to the top league?
Ipswich is very close to promotion after their 1-1 draw with Southampton on 28/04/2026. They need one more win on the last day of the season, and other results to go their way, to be promoted.
Q: What was the score between Ipswich and Southampton on 28/04/2026?
The match between Ipswich and Southampton on 28/04/2026 ended in a 1-1 draw.
Q: What happened in the Ipswich vs Southampton match on 17 August 2025?
On 17 August 2025, Ipswich and Southampton also drew 1-1. Ipswich scored first from an own goal by Southampton's Taylor Harwood-Bellis, and Jay Robinson later scored for Southampton.