Wolves vs Ipswich Preview

• Draw or Wolves win
• Over 2.5 goals

Two struggling sides meet at Molineux in what could prove to be a decisive match in the battle to avoid relegation.

Wolves and Ipswich Town are level on nine points and sitting perilously close to the drop zone, making this clash a true six-pointer.

For Wolves boss Gary O’Neil, this could be his final opportunity to turn things around, while Kieran McKenna will aim to halt Ipswich’s slide in their first season back in the top flight.

Wolves: Fighting for Survival and Stability

Wolves are at a critical juncture. Monday night’s 2-1 loss to West Ham marked their sixth defeat in the last eight league matches, leaving them four points from safety.

Despite the defeat, Gary O’Neil remains in charge, but pressure is mounting. Anything less than a win against Ipswich could force the Wolves board to make a managerial change.

Defensive frailty has been Wolves’ Achilles heel this season, particularly at Molineux, where they have conceded 34 goals in 16 home league games in 2024.

This marks the highest tally at this stage since Leeds’ disastrous 2022 campaign. Encouragingly, Wolves have a strong recent record against Ipswich, unbeaten in seven head-to-heads (W2, D5), and they’ve kept clean sheets in their last five meetings. However, draws won’t suffice—Wolves desperately need three points.

Key Player: Jørgen Strand Larsen

The Norwegian forward has been a rare bright spot for Wolves in an otherwise dismal season. Four of his six goals this term have been equalisers, underscoring his knack for stepping up in pivotal moments.

Ipswich Town: Searching for Stability in Turbulent Waters

Ipswich’s Premier League return has been challenging. With only one win from 15 matches (D6, L8), they remain embroiled in the relegation battle.

A 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth last weekend extended their losing run to three games, but manager Kieran McKenna is under far less scrutiny than his Wolves counterpart.

The Tractor Boys have avoided longer losing streaks so far this season and can take some solace from their sole league victory, which came on the road.

However, Ipswich have struggled historically at Molineux, winning just one of their last 16 away games against Wolves (D6, L9).

That said, Ipswich’s dominance in top-flight H2Hs—winning six of the last seven—offers a glimmer of hope, though their last victory in this fixture came nearly four decades ago, in 1984.

Key Player: Conor Chaplin

Chaplin has shown promise, scoring his first Premier League goal last weekend. It was his third goal in four league games, and all three strikes opened the scoring, making him a critical player for Ipswich’s hopes of an upset.

Tactical Battle

Wolves are likely to focus on tightening their defence, as their porous backline has been their undoing this season.

O’Neil will rely on players like Larsen to provide moments of magic in attack while aiming to control the midfield and limit Ipswich’s counter-attacking opportunities.

Ipswich, meanwhile, may adopt a cautious approach, looking to frustrate Wolves and capitalise on set-pieces and transitional play. McKenna’s side must stay compact and organised defensively while exploiting the creativity of Chaplin to break down Wolves’ defence.

What’s at Stake

For Wolves, this is a must-win game. Another defeat would deepen their relegation fears and could lead to managerial changes. A victory would not only lift them above Ipswich in the standings but also provide a much-needed morale boost.

For Ipswich, this match offers a chance to break their three-game losing streak and create daylight between themselves and the relegation zone. A win would reaffirm their ability to compete at this level and alleviate growing concerns about their survival prospects.

Head-to-Head Insights

Recent meetings heavily favour Wolves, who are unbeaten in their last seven games against Ipswich and have kept five consecutive clean sheets in those encounters.

However, Ipswich’s historical top-flight dominance in this fixture adds an interesting layer of unpredictability.

Prediction

This match is set to be a nervy affair, with both sides desperate for points. Wolves’ home form has been abysmal, but their strong record against Ipswich and Larsen’s contributions could give them the edge.

Ipswich, while struggling, have shown resilience under McKenna and could make things difficult for their hosts.

Prediction: Wolves 2-1 Ipswich

As the battle for Premier League survival intensifies, this clash at Molineux could have significant implications for both teams.

Will Wolves find a way to steady the ship, or can Ipswich deliver a blow to Gary O’Neil’s survival hopes? The stakes couldn’t be higher in this crucial encounter.

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Wolves v Ipswich, 2024/25 | Premier League