Ipswich vs Fulham Preview: Tractor Boys Looking for First Points

Ipswich vs Fulham Preview

• Draw or Ipswich win
• Szmodics to be booked

Introduction: Ipswich Seek First Premier League Points Against Fulham

As Ipswich Town continues to navigate their return to the Premier League, their next challenge comes in the form of a home fixture against Fulham.

After enduring a tough start against Liverpool and Manchester City, the Tractor Boys will be looking to secure their first points of the season at Portman Road. Meanwhile, Fulham aim to build on their recent success and deepen Ipswich’s early-season woes.

Ipswich’s Early Struggles: A Test of Resilience

Ipswich’s return to the top flight has been far from easy, with back-to-back defeats against Liverpool and Manchester City. Conceding six goals across those two games, manager Kieran McKenna praised his side’s togetherness despite the difficult start.

As Ipswich prepare for their third match, history suggests they could avoid a third consecutive defeat; the last time they lost their opening three league matches in any division was in the 2006/07 season.

This match against Fulham might appear more manageable on paper, but Ipswich has struggled in recent head-to-heads (H2Hs) with the Cottagers, losing each of the last six encounters, including four at home. Despite these challenges, Ipswich’s promotion to the Premier League was built on their formidable home form.

Last season, they were the strongest Championship side at home (W16, D6, L1). Under McKenna, Ipswich have never lost back-to-back home league games, with their last occurrence in 2021.

Fulham’s Momentum: Aiming to Extend Winning Streak

Fulham come into this match with growing confidence after securing victories in both the Premier League and the EFL Cup following an opening-day defeat.

Manager Marco Silva lauded his team for their “dominant” performance in a 2-1 win against Leicester City in gameweek two, with club-record signing Emile Smith Rowe making an immediate impact by scoring his first goal for the club.

As Fulham make the approximately 100-mile journey to Portman Road, they will be looking to continue their run of varied results in Premier League away games. Their last nine away league outings have alternated in result (W3, D3, L3), with the Cottagers losing their most recent trip.

However, Fulham’s away defensive record leaves much to be desired, with just two clean sheets in their last 16 league games on the road. This could mean they’ll need a few goals to secure victory.

Players to Watch: Key Influencers on the Pitch

Sammie Szmodics (Ipswich): Szmodics made an immediate impact against Manchester City, scoring his fourth goal of the season just seven minutes into the match. Notably, he has been booked in three of his last five scoring appearances, highlighting his aggressive style of play.

Jay Stansfield (Fulham): Stansfield found the back of the net for Fulham in midweek against his former club Birmingham City.

Despite playing four league matches against Ipswich over the last two seasons, he has yet to experience a victory against them, with one draw and three losses, although he did score against them last term.

Conclusion: A Pivotal Match for Both Teams

As Ipswich host Fulham at Portman Road, both teams have much to play for.

Ipswich will be determined to avoid a third straight defeat and secure their first Premier League points of the season, while Fulham will aim to build on their recent momentum and continue their climb up the table.

With both teams eager to prove themselves, this match promises to be an intriguing contest.

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Ipswich v Fulham, 2024/25 | Premier League