Ipswich Town captain Luke Chambers has slated pre-season predictions suggesting that the Tractor Boys will struggle in the Championship this season.

Paul Hurst will begin his Portman Road reign with a home clash against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday, with many bookmakers having tipped the East Anglians for a relegation battle in 2018-19.

Chambers, who will captain Ipswich again under Hurst, has vowed to ignore such predictions and believes that the Blues can "cause a few heads to turn" under their new manager.

"It's not the first time but when do the bookies ever get it right in the Championship?" Chambers told the Ipswich Star. "Even if we were allowed to bet on accumulators, or matches, I'm pretty sure there haven't been too many people getting results right in the Championship.

"I don't care what bookies – or anyone else – says. We know what's going on within the squad and with the new staff. We will leave no stone unturned to be the best we can be and potentially cause a few heads to turn a little.

"It is a new start, a new era like I've seen the club promoting. It feels like people are behind us and if we can get that atmosphere, like I've experienced in the past when we've been doing well, Portman Road can be a difficult place for other teams to come. We'll be doing everything we can to make it as difficult as possible for them."

Chambers has been with Ipswich since 2012, moving to Portman Road from Nottingham Forest, and has made upwards of 230 appearances for the Suffolk side.