Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna is banking on a bit of déjà vu as his side prepares for a season-defining clash at Portman Road this Saturday. The Tractor Boys need a victory against Queens Park Rangers to secure automatic promotion to the Premier League—and McKenna knows a thing or two about sealing the deal on home turf.

History is firmly on Ipswich's side. They clinched promotion from League One with a win in their final home game in 2023, and repeated the feat 12 months later to end a 22-year top-flight exile. Now, with a second Championship promotion in as many years on the line, McKenna is urging his squad to channel that same energy.

"You accept the extra adrenaline and pressure that comes around the game, but you also try and enjoy it," McKenna said. "It's going to be a wonderful atmosphere in our stadium—it's the third time in four years that we've had a home game to try and get promoted. It's not lost on us that these are special times. We want to deliver a big performance and a big result."

The stakes couldn't be higher: three points against a mid-table QPR side, who have lost their last three matches, will seal automatic promotion. Anything less could force Ipswich into the lottery of the play-offs. McKenna, however, isn't taking anything for granted. "I watched their game against Derby last week—they had nearly 70% possession against a team in the play-offs," he noted. "They've got a very good manager, a very professional manager. I'm sure they'll have trained and prepared this week. They'll be motivated to come and finish their season on a high in front of their away supporters and do themselves proud."

Ipswich will be boosted by a clean bill of health, with no fresh injury concerns. All eyes will also be on captain Dara O'Shea, who is set to make his 45th league appearance of the season—and 55th in all competitions—without receiving a single yellow card. A remarkable feat of discipline for a center-back, and a testament to the composure that McKenna's side will need to channel on Saturday.

"We respect their strengths, and we'll go into the game with humility," McKenna added. "But we also know that over this season—and a lot of seasons now—we've been a really good side at Portman Road."

For Ipswich fans, it's a chance to write another chapter in their club's resurgence. And for McKenna, it's an opportunity to prove that when it comes to home-field promotion deciders, history really does have a habit of repeating itself.