Returning to the Premier League this season, Ipswich currently lies 18th, with the same number of points as the first team outside the relegation places. Being a newly promoted side, it’s an uphill task for them to keep from getting relegated.
However, they have picked up some momentum recently, winning two, drawing one, and losing two in their last five league matches. The standouts are that shocking 2-0 win over Chelsea and the tough 2-2 draw with Fulham last week. Last week, Ipswich welcomed Bristol Rovers in the FA Cup.
Brighton, positioned 10th in the Premier League, is a full six points adrift of the final European qualification spot. Of course, at one stage of this season, Brighton was ranked higher, but lately performances have been lackluster.
Without a win in eight league games – six draws and two losses – the Seagulls surprisingly lost 3-1 at home to Crystal Palace last weekend and have shared the spoils with West Ham 1-1, Brentford 0-0, Aston Villa 2-2, and Arsenal 1-1. Last weekend they had an FA Cup engagement with Norwich.
Ipswich has to make do without some key players: starting defender Tuanzebe, forwards Chaplin, Hirst, and Ogbene, along with long-term absentee Donacien.
Despite those setbacks, Szmodics, with four league goals, and Delap, who has eight goals and two assists, are expected to lead the attack. To strengthen their squad, Ipswich hasn’t been quiet in the winter transfer market as they brought in international defender Godfrey on loan and moved to sign Aston Villa winger Philogene.
Injury issues hit Brighton too – striker Welbeck, backup forward Ferguson, midfielder Wieffer, starter-to-be Kadioglu and old-timer Milner. New signing Diego Gomez may feature in the matchday squad while full-backs Estupinan and Hinshelwood can be another ones, although the place for the latter one isn’t confirmed as well.
At midfield Baleba became one of the most unexpected talismans this season so far. Brighton’s attack could be spearheaded by Mitoma with three goals and two assists, Rutter, who has two goals and two assists, and Joao Pedro, their top contributor with five goals and five assists.
Prediction
Taking recent form into account, Ipswich’s home matches with the current manager have been very low-scoring. Nine of the last ten matches they have played have had three goals or less scored in them.
Away from home, Brighton has been similarly underwhelming. Eight of their last nine road games have seen less than 3.5 goals scored in them.
Prediction: Ipswich 1-1 Brighton
