Ipswich vs Southampton: Preview, predictions and lineups
Strugglers Ipswich Town and Southampton go head-to-head this weekend as both scramble for points in their fights against relegation.
Ipswich will host Saturday’s battle at the foot of the table and the Portman Road crowd must act as the 12th man with confidence fragile for Kieran McKenna and his players. They have lost their last three fixtures in the Premier League and have conceded ten across meetings with Manchester City and Liverpool.
Southampton supporters have likely accepted relegation this season with the Saints having accumulated just six points from their opening 23 matches. They are 11 points from salvation and Ivan Juric has been unable to stop the rot having lost all six of his Premier League matches in the dugout.
What time does Ipswich vs Southampton kick-off?
Location: Ipswich, England
Stadium: Portman Road
Date: Saturday 1 February
Kick-off Time: 15:00 GMT / 10:00 ET / 07:00 PT
Referee: Michael Oliver
VAR: Jarred Gillett
Ipswich vs Southampton head-to-head record (last five games)
Ipswich: 2 wins
Southampton: 1 win
Draws: 2
Last meeting: Southampton 1-1 Ipswich (21 September 2024) – Premier League
Ipswich team news
Ipswich will be sweating on the fitness of attacking duo Sammie Szmodics and Conor Chaplin, both of whom are close to making their comebacks but could miss out out on Saturday.
Chiedozie Ogbene and Wes Burns are guaranteed absentees for the Tractor Boys, the former sidelined for the remiander of the campaign.
January loan signing Julio Enciso made a positive impact from the bench on his debut at Anfield last weekend and should start against Southampton.
Ipswich predicted lineup vs Southampton
Ipswich predicted lineup vs Southampton (4-2-3-1): Walton; Tuanzebe, O’Shea, Greaves, Davis; Phillips, Cajuste; Hutchinson, Enciso, Philogene; Delap.
Southampton predicted lineup vs Ipswich
Southampton predicted lineup vs Ipswich (3-4-1-2): Ramsdale; Bree, Bednarek, Harwood-Bellis; Walker-Peters, Ugochukwu, Aribo, Manning; Fernandes; Onuachu, Armstrong.
Ipswich vs Southampton score prediction
Both sides will be desperate not to lose this one but the onus is on Southampton to get victory as they slip further and further from safety. It’s likely to be a scrappy affair low on quality and goals, with Ipswich perhaps boasting the superior talent in the final third following the winter arrivals of Enciso and Jaden Philogene.
Southampton are the lowest scorers and have the worst defence in the Premier League this term, but have been sharper in duels with their fellow promoted sides previously. Ipswich have similar struggles in both boxes and may have to accept a point this weekend.
Prediction: Ipswich 1-1 Southampton
