Ipswich vs Newcastle Preview
- Newcastle to win
- Over 2.5 goals
Ipswich Town and Newcastle United meet at Portman Road in a crucial Premier League clash, with both sides having contrasting ambitions.
Ipswich are fighting to escape the relegation zone, while Newcastle aim to push up the table and close the gap on the European spots.
Ipswich Town: Fighting for Survival
Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich Town will be buoyed by their dramatic 2-1 stoppage-time win over Wolves last weekend, a rare bright spot in an otherwise challenging season.
That victory marked just their second league win of the campaign, both coming away from home. However, their struggles at Portman Road—where they remain winless (D4, L4)—have severely hindered their survival bid.
Only two teams in Premier League history have avoided relegation after failing to win any of their opening eight home games, making this match pivotal for Ipswich’s season.
The Tractor Boys will need to buck that trend against Newcastle, a side they’ve beaten just twice in the last 13 head-to-heads (D4, L7), though both wins came at home.
Key Player: Jack Taylor
Taylor scored the dramatic winner against Wolves and has developed a knack for late goals, with three of his last four strikes coming after the 85th minute. His composure and timing could be crucial again.
Newcastle United: Eyeing a Top-Six Push
Newcastle arrive in Suffolk on the back of a morale-boosting 3-1 Carabao Cup quarter-final win over Brentford, securing their spot in the semi-finals.
Eddie Howe’s men now shift focus back to the Premier League, where they sit in 12th place but remain just two points off sixth, underscoring the tight margins in the table.
The Magpies have a strong record against promoted sides, losing just one of their last 22 Premier League matches against such opponents (W13, D8).
They’ve already defeated the other two newly-promoted teams ‘to nil’ this season, though both were at home. Their recent away form raises some doubts, with just one win in their last six Premier League trips (W1, D2, L3).
Key Player: Jacob Murphy
Murphy has proven to be a catalyst for big wins, with six of his last seven scoring appearances leading to Newcastle victories where they netted at least four goals. If he finds the net, expect fireworks.
Tactical Battle
- Ipswich’s Approach: the hosts will aim to frustrate Newcastle with a compact defensive structure and look to exploit set-pieces and late-game opportunities, where Jack Taylor has been a key figure. McKenna may also focus on quick transitions to capitalise on any gaps in Newcastle’s backline.
- Newcastle’s Approach: the Magpies will likely dominate possession and press high, relying on their creative midfielders and attacking depth to unlock Ipswich’s defence. Eddie Howe’s side will need to guard against complacency and ensure defensive stability, given Ipswich’s tendency to score late.
What’s at Stake?
- Ipswich Town: A win would provide a huge boost in their fight against relegation and finally end their dismal run of home results, offering a platform for further improvement.
- Newcastle United: Three points are essential to climb closer to the European qualification spots and maintain momentum following their Carabao Cup success.
Head-to-Head Insights
- Ipswich have failed to win any of their first eight home games in the Premier League this season (D4, L4).
- Newcastle have lost just one of their last 22 Premier League matches against promoted sides (W13, D8).
- Jack Taylor has scored three of his last four goals after the 85th minute, including the winner against Wolves last weekend.
Prediction
Ipswich will be buoyed by their win against Wolves and the support of the home crowd, but Newcastle’s superior quality and strong record against promoted sides make them favourites.
Expect Ipswich to show resilience, but Newcastle’s attacking firepower should be enough to secure the win.
Prediction: Ipswich 1-3 Newcastle United
With Ipswich desperate for a home win and Newcastle chasing a top-six spot, this clash promises plenty of action.
Will Ipswich pull off a surprise, or can Newcastle build on their recent momentum? Football fans are in for an intriguing encounter at Portman Road.
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Ipswich v Newcastle, 2024/25 | Premier League