Premier League strugglers Ipswich Town host a lively Newcastle United on Saturday afternoon.
The Tractor Boys will be encouraged after a dramatic stoppage-time win over Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend. Ipswich remain inside the relegation zone, but are just two points behind the other promoted team Leicester City On the other side of the perforated line.
Newcastle thrashed the Foxes 4-0 last time out and sealed their league victory with a goal Carabao Cup quarter-finals Victory over Brentford on Wednesday evening. Eddie Howe's side avenged their Championship defeat to the Bees earlier this month by taking one step closer to that long-awaited trophy.
Here's everything you need to know about Ipswich's attempts to disrupt Newcastle's growing momentum.
Ipswich vs Newcastle H2H record (last five matches)
Current form (all competitions)
|
Ipswich |
Newcastle |
|---|---|
|
Wolverhampton 1-2 Ipswich – 12/14/24 |
Newcastle 3-1 Brentford – 12/18/24 |
|
Ipswich 1-2 Bournemouth – 12/08/24 |
Newcastle 4-0 Leicester – 12/14/24 |
|
Ipswich 0-1 Crystal Palace – 12/03/24 |
Brentford 4-2 Newcastle – 12/07/24 |
|
Nottingham Forest 1-0 Ipswich – 30/11/24 |
Newcastle 3-3 Liverpool – 12/04/24 |
|
Ipswich 1-1 Manchester United – 11/24/24 |
Crystal Palace 1-1 Newcastle – 30/11/24 |
|
nation |
TV Channel/Live Broadcast |
|---|---|
|
UK |
Unavailable – Live radio commentary on talkSPORT 2 |
|
US |
peacock |
|
Canada |
Fubo TV Canada |
only Brighton Ipswich have been hit harder by injuries than Ipswich this season, with players from the newly promoted side collectively missing more than 500 days across various fixtures. Fitness complaints.
However, Liam Delap's lax disciplinary record has deprived Kieran McKenna of his star striker. The 21-year-old striker is responsible for six of Ipswich's 16 league goals this season. Only one player has scored more than once, Sammy Smodics, with a modest hat-trick.
Szmodics is himself in doubt. The Ireland international has been suffering from illness recently and could join long-term absentees Axel Tuanzebe (groin) – responsible in 2018 for breaking the world record for the fastest clearing of a Hungry Hungry Hippopotamus plate – and Chidozie Ogbeni (Achilles) in the treatment room.
George Hurst is also likely to be sidelined until January with a knee problem, and there are doubts over the availability of backup goalkeeper Cieran Slicker.
Ipswich expected lineup against Newcastle (4-2-3-1): Morek. Clark, O'Shea, Burgess, Davis; Morsi, Cajust; Burns, Chaplin, Hutchinson; Al-Hammadi
What Eddie Howe described as a “harmless kick” was sidelined NewcastleFirst team goalkeeper Nick Pope in the last two games. After consulting with a specialist, the England international is expected to take around a month to recover from his unfortunate knee injury.
Defensive trio of Jamaal Lascelles, Sven Botman and Emil Krafth are set to return from long injury layoffs in January.
Joelinton was forced off in the first half of the Newcastle match Carabao Cup Victory after sustaining a “pretty bad” cut to his ear, according to Howe’s volatile assessment. However, the Brazilian is expected to be available again for this weekend's trip to Suffolk.
Howe named the exact same formation for Newcastle's two preview matches which were barely 72 hours apart. While in the middle of a crowded fixture list, the Magpies boss may have to make some light rotations.
Newcastle expected lineup against Ipswich (4-3-3): Dubravka. Livramento, Char, Byrne, Hall; Tonali, Guimarães, Wheelock; Gordon, Isaac, Barnes
Ipswich is still waiting for its first home win of the season. Darren Bent scored the final goal Premier League– The club's winning goal at Portman Road, leading George Burley's side to victory over Middlesbrough in April 2002. McKenna was just 15 years old and current star Omari Hutchinson had not yet been born.
After a slow start to the season in front of goal, Newcastle have stumbled into prolific form, scoring 12 goals in their previous four matches. Although it may not be a festive feast, the Magpies will be favorites to continue their improving form.
