Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna hopes a few days at home following three games in a week on the road will enable his team to be at their best against Championship leaders Coventry City.
Town won at Hull, but then lost to Oxford United and drew with Blackburn, leaving them seventh in the table, but 15 points adrift of the Sky Blues.
“It’s going to be a big challenge and we’re going to be tested,” McKenna told BBC Radio Suffolk.
“We back ourselves in every situation and against every opponent, but it’s not going to be easy so we’re going to need the crowd and create a proper Portman Road atmosphere to give ourselves the best chance to win the game.
“We’ve left some points out there across the games so far and we want to try and catch up those points as quickly as we can.
“Tomorrow we get a test against the best team in the division across the first 18 games, and a really strong team in top form, so that’s a great challenge that gives a chance to take a big step forward and give ourselves a big boost.”
He added: “In general, this season, there’s been three games where we haven’t had better chances than the opposition – there was Birmingham on the first night, Middlesbrough away and the other night (against Blackburn).
“We’re creating chances and not giving too much away in general. Of course we want to be better, of course we’ve had a few frustrating games where it’s been hard to break down stubborn opponents, but the other night was the first time the game really got on top of us.”
Forward Sammie Szmodics will be available for selection after recovering well from a knee operation.
He last played in a 1-0 home win over West Bromwich Albion on 25 October.
