Ipswich vs Leicester Preview

• Both teams to score
• Szmodics to score

Ipswich Town hosts Leicester City in a matchup where both promoted sides seek to solidify their standing in the Premier League.

After a heartbreaking 4-3 loss to Brentford, Ipswich aims to break their winless run, while Leicester looks to build on recent successes and put last week’s defeat behind them.

Ipswich Town: Early Leads, but Defensive Fragility

Ipswich’s promising starts in games have been overshadowed by their inability to hold onto leads, a problem that haunted them again last week as they lost 4-3 to Brentford after initially racing into a two-goal lead.

This has been a theme for Ipswich, who have dropped ten points from winning positions this season and remain winless after nine rounds (D4, L5).

Ipswich fans might feel some apprehension, as another failure to secure three points would leave them just one game shy of their second-longest winless run at the start of a campaign — a worrying comparison to their relegation season in 2018/19.

Their home form hasn’t provided much solace either, with both of Ipswich’s recent home draws coming from matches where they led early but conceded by half-time. Kieran McKenna will need to address these defensive lapses if Ipswich is to turn their promising starts into tangible results.

Leicester City: Finding Form in the Premier League

Leicester’s return to the Premier League has seen them claim six of their nine points across the last three rounds, showing signs of an upward trend.

Under Steve Cooper, the Foxes have opened up a cushion above the relegation zone, though a recent defeat to Nottingham Forest reminded them of the challenges they face.

A trip to Ipswich presents Leicester with an opportunity to capitalise on Ipswich’s defensive vulnerabilities. Historically, Leicester has fared well against Ipswich, losing only once in their last nine league meetings (W5, D3).

They’ve shown resilience on the road too, recently coming back from a 2-0 deficit to beat Southampton, a trait that could prove decisive against an Ipswich side prone to relinquishing leads.

Key Players to Watch

Sammie Szmodics (Ipswich Town)

Sammie Szmodics has a strong record against Leicester, scoring four times in three head-to-heads. With Ipswich looking for stability in attack, Szmodics’ clinical finishing and experience against Leicester could make him a game-changer in this fixture.

Stephy Mavididi (Leicester City)

Mavididi has demonstrated an ability to deliver in high-stakes games, having scored Leicester’s equaliser in their last visit to Ipswich.

Known for his knack for scoring in crucial moments, his last two goals for Leicester have also come in draws, making him a player to watch in this tightly contested matchup.

Tactical Outlook: Can Ipswich Shore Up Their Defence?

Ipswich’s offensive starts have provided hope, but their defensive weaknesses have led to frequent setbacks.

Kieran McKenna’s side must find a way to hold onto early leads, especially against a Leicester team that has shown it can rally from deficits.

Szmodics’ attacking presence will be essential in breaking down Leicester’s defence, but Ipswich’s backline must remain vigilant throughout the match.

Leicester’s Objective: Building Consistency on the Road

Leicester will look to build on their recent form by exploiting Ipswich’s defensive lapses. Stephy Mavididi and Leicester’s forwards will be key to applying pressure, with the goal of converting Ipswich’s early errors into scoring opportunities.

With Cooper emphasising resilience, Leicester’s comeback potential could prove vital in this fixture.

Final Thoughts

Both Ipswich and Leicester enter this clash with distinct motivations: Ipswich seeks a long-awaited victory to ease relegation fears, while Leicester aims to secure a stable foothold in the league.

With Ipswich’s trend of dropping leads and Leicester’s ability to mount comebacks, this game could deliver a thrilling contest.

Will Ipswich finally secure their first Premier League win, or can Leicester capitalise on their hosts’ defensive struggles to claim all three points?

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Ipswich v Leicester, 2024/25 | Premier League