Two of last season’s Championship promotion rivals clash on Saturday as Ipswich Town host Leicester City, and we have the latest team news and confirmed lineups, as well as a prediction included in our preview.
Ipswich vs Leicester Preview
Ipswich, who secured promotion after finishing just a point behind Leicester last season, are still searching for their first Premier League victory after nine matches.
The Tractor Boys have drawn four and lost five, with their latest match resulting in a thrilling 4-3 defeat to Brentford.
Despite their winless streak, manager Kieran McKenna has expressed pride in his players’ resilience and insists they are making progress.
Meanwhile, Leicester had a promising start to October, winning their first two matches but have since faced back-to-back defeats against Nottingham Forest and Manchester United.
The Foxes, currently 15th in the table, will look to bounce back after their recent Carabao Cup exit, aiming to improve their away form and secure vital points to climb the standings.
Historically, Ipswich have had the upper hand at home against Leicester, winning all three of their Premier League encounters, with previous victories of 4-1, 2-0, and 2-0.
However, recent meetings have seen a more balanced affair; both encounters last season in the Championship ended in 1-1 draws. Ipswich will need to draw on this home advantage to break their winless run.
Ipswich Team News
Ipswich are without winger Chiedozie Ogbene, who has undergone surgery for a torn Achilles after being stretchered off against Brentford. He joins Axel Tuanzebe (thumb), Jacob Greaves (hamstring), and Jack Taylor (muscle) in the treatment room.
The Tractor Boys will also miss Harry Clarke due to suspension after his tumultuous performance last weekend, where he made Premier League history by scoring an own goal, conceding a penalty, and receiving a red card all in one match.
There is some positive news on the injury front, as Omari Hutchinson, Sam Morsy, and Ben Johnson all return to the starting lineup, while Massimo Luongo returns to the bench.
Leicester Team News
Victor Kristiansen returns to the starting XI following a groin injury, but the trip to Ipswich is one too soon for Hamza Choudhury and Patson Daka, who are still recovering from their respective injuries.
Abdul Fatawu returns after missing the midweek defeat to Manchester United, with Jordan Ayew dropping to the bench.
After making nine changes for the Carabao Cup clash, manager Steve Cooper has brought several first-team regulars back into the fold, including Stephy Mavididi – who notably scored in last season’s 1-1 draw against Ipswich.
Ipswich vs Leicester Confirmed Lineups
Ipswich Confirmed Lineup:
Muric; Johnson, O’Shea, Burgess, Davis; Philips, Morsy; Hutchinson, Chaplin, Szmodics; Delap
Leicester Confirmed Lineup:
Hermansen; Ricardo, Faes, Vestergaard, Kristiansen; Ndidi, Winks; Fatawu, Buonanotte, Mavididi; Vardy
Ipswich vs Leicester Prediction
The bottom of the table has been a goal fest since the start of last season. Matches involving relegated teams or two of Leicester, Southampton, and Ipswich have averaged a staggering 3.8 goals per game.
Both sides will fancy themselves to claim maximum points, which should lead to a fun game involving plenty of end-to-end action, but we’re going to lean towards the home side here in what would be their first win of the season.
Prediction: Ipswich 3-2 Leicester
