AWAY specialists Watford travel to East Anglia this weekend as they look to inflict the first dent in Ipswich's unbeaten home league record at Portman Road.

The Golden Boys have triumphed nine times away from the Vic and picked up three draws, while Jim Magilton's side appear invincible on home soil. Can Aidy Boothroyd's men pick up a crucial win in the fight for promotion?  

The statistics don't lie with the Tractor Boys, at home they have won on 11 occasions in the Championship and picked up four draws along the way at Portman Road.

Harry Redknapp's Portsmouth are the only team to get a result against Magilton's side in the FA Cup at Portman Road this season - the last club to come away with three points in the league was Southend United back in March 2007.

After putting the home voodoo to bed with last Saturday's win over Wolves, the manager wants the Hornets to carry on with the momentum.

He said: "It's a game we're looking forward to. Portman Road is an intimidating place to go, they've got 17,000 season ticket holders and they get that place bouncing.

"They will pass and play, we've got to be a match for that, we need to defend resolutely, counter attack and our use our set plays. It's going to be a mixture of styles."

Boothroyd will be without Jobi McAnuff and Lee Williamson - both banned after picking up five bookings.

Their enforced absence will hand opportunities to other squad players with ex-Hereford winger Lionel Ainsworth looking the likely suspect to replace McAnuff.

The gaffer was keeping his options open as he explained: "I could play Jordan Stewart there or young Lionel Ainsworth is due a little run, or if I bring Darius Henderson back I could move Steve Kabba out there.

"So I'm in a great position - we've got Danny [Shittu] back and we've competition for places up front, in the middle and the back and we're two points off the top."

The big defender returns to England and league action after bowing out of the Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday. Shittu has added competition in defence, since he left after heading two goals for the Hornets against Crystal Palace in early January.

If the Nigerian international is fit and raring to go, the travelling supporters could see him amongst the action, Boothroyd commented: "He will come straight back into contention, I think we've missed him.

"With the new players coming in and having settled straight away, it's almost like a new team now and having Danny back will be a big asset for us. If Danny's fit and not too jet lagged then he will play because he's a big, big player for us."

Leigh Bromby and Mat Sadler are the new arrivals to the backline, however the 'Orns look likely to be without club captain Jay DeMerit until at least the game against Charlton at the Valley.

Aidy Mariappa's encouraging performance against Wolves gives further options to the manager. While Steve Kabba is full of confidence after his first strike for the club. Collins John is still a way off full fitness and the manager is prepared to bide his time to get the Dutch international 100 per cent right and 'Watford fit'.

Midfielder Damien Francis is targeting the fixture with Charlton after his re-occuring problems. The ex-Wigan man returned after his cruciate ligament injury against Barnsley before Christmas but has suffered with his knee in recent weeks.   

With nine points separating the top seven teams in the division, there's likely to be plenty of twists and turns before May 4th. The Tractor Boys themselves now occupy the final play off place and Crystal Palace have crept up the table under the stewardship of Neil Warnock.

The morale lifting victory over Wolves, which threw the new acquisitions straight into a winning side, takes on even greater significant and there is plenty for a fresh looking side to build upon.

Saturday's opponents Ipswich also had a morale boosting win on Saturday as they picked up their first away win of the season when they turned over Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.

Boothroyd was happy with the victory for the Hornets, as he explained: "I was absolutely thrilled to win at home after such a ridiculous amount of time. I think there was a real sense of relief in the dressing room after the game.

"I was pleased for the home fans, because those who don't go to the away games haven't had too much to shout about of late.

"Hopefully it will be a turning point, I'm convinced it will be the turning point in our home form."

John Eustace's debut in the heart of midfield last weekend gave the spine of the side a degree of experience and calmness which the boss feels has been missing in recent times.

Once settled in he could be a big player for the 'Orns as Boothroyd added: 

"John does have a presence, he has an energy about him, he's like the Daddy in there and you don't mess about with him because if you do you're going to get hurt.
 
"He's one of those people that I think you need in the team. A team is about balance and that's where I think we've struggled of late, particularly at home.

"You could see him on Saturday, he was chewing the ear off the referee, he's bullying one or two and telling them how to win the game."

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