Ipswich vs Newcastle Preview: Team News & Prediction
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The late, great Sir Bobby Robson will be smiling down from above as Ipswich host Newcastle for the first time in the Premier League since December 2001.
Kick-off date/time: Saturday 21st December, 2024: UK – 3:00pm / US ET – 10:00am / US PT – 7:00am
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – Peacock Premium
How to watch online: UK – Cannot be streamed / US – Premier League
Ipswich Preview: Late winner keeps them within reach of safety
Ipswich currently sit just two points below 17th-placed Leicester and a win here over Newcastle would move them outside the bottom three, at least temporarily with the Foxes playing on the following day. This is largely due to the Tractor Boys stealing a seismic three points at Molineux last weekend.
With the scores level at 1-1 against Wolves and the visitors having withstood substantial pressure after conceding an equaliser, Jack Clarke rose highest in the 94th minute to head home from a corner and send the Ipswich fans in the away end into raptures. If Kieran McKenna’s side are to survive this season, that goal will be looked back and seen as absolutely crucial.
Newcastle Preview: Consecutive wins a step in the right direction
After a commanding performance and resounding 4-0 thrashing of Leicester last weekend, Newcastle wanted to back that up in the League Cup midweek and keep alive their hopes of that long-awaited major trophy. Magpies fans weren’t disappointed as their side picked up where they left off against Brentford, midfielder Sandro Tonali opening the scoring.
They went on to add two more goals with a late reply from Brentford scant consolation as Newcastle booked their place in the semi-finals. Now, it’s a return to Premier League action and with an average of three goals across their last four games in all competitions, things are going well again for the men in black and white.
Ipswich Team News: Delap suspended, but Szmodics back
The hosts will be without striker Liam Delap for this game after he accumulated five yellow cards, a big blow for the Tractor Boys who are already without fellow forward George Hirst. As a result, Ali Al-Hamadi may be in line for a first ever Premier League start, although Sammy Szmodics could be deployed as a striker with Burns, Chaplin and Hutchinson operating as the attacking midfield three.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Muric; H. Clarke, O'Shea, Greaves, Davis; Morsy, Cajuste; Burns, Chaplin, Hutchinson; Szmodics
Unavailable: Tuanzebe (Injured), Donacien (Injured), Hirst (Injured), Ogbene (Injured), Delap (Suspended)
Questionable:
Newcastle Team News: Enforced change on the cards
Following back-to-back victories, Eddie Howe will be loath to alter a winning XI, but will be forced into one change against Ipswich. Joelinton’s suspension rules him out and should see either Joe Willock or Sean Longstaff take the Brazilian’s place in the Magpies’ midfield alongside Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Dubravka; Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall; Longstaff, Guimaraes, Tonali; Gordon, Isak, Barnes
Unavailable: Pope (Injured), Lascelles (Injured), Krafth (Injured), Joelinton (Suspended), Wilson (Injured)
Questionable: Botman (Injured)
Ipswich vs Newcastle Prediction
Newcastle look to have potentially turned a corner of late and have really clicked going forward in recent weeks, discovering a new-found high level of offensive potency. With 12 goals across their last four matches in all competitions, keeping out the Magpies is a tall order for an Ipswich side with just one clean sheet to their name all season in the Premier League.
Whilst Ipswich’s dramatic late win at Wolves was a crucial one in their battle against the drop, it’s difficult to see that proving the spark for an unbeaten run when considering the level of opposition the Tractor Boys face over the Christmas period. They’ve failed to win at Portman Road all season so far and that is unlikely to change here. Back free-scoring Newcastle to come out on top.
Ipswich vs Newcastle Tip: Newcastle to win
