Wolves vs Ipswich Preview: Team News & Prediction
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If ever there was a relegation six-pointer, this is it as Wolves and Ipswich each desperately need a win here to aid their respective survival hopes
Kick-off date/time: Saturday 14th 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 on Peacock
Wolves Preview: O’Neil clinging on by a thread
Wolves boss Gary O’Neil is seemingly hanging by a thread right now as they have lost three matches in a row and remain several points adrift from safety. The loss to West Ham last Monday night was yet another blow but he has received a vote of confidence and owners Fosun seem determined to keep faith with him. The pressure is only increasing by the loss right now and they face another massive crunch match here against fellow strugglers Ipswich.
Ipswich Preview: Confidence low among Tractor Boys camp
Ipswich looked like picking up just their second win in the league last weekend but after leading until the 87th minute at home to Bournemouth, they contrived to concede two goals and come away with nothing. That will surely dent their confidence and a lack of belief in themselves was clearly evident in that match as they failed to see it out. Kieran McKenna will have a task on his hands to ensure his men recover psychologically as much as anything ahead of this crunch clash with Wolves.
Wolves Team News: Seven missing for hosts
O’Neil is forced to make one change as Joao Gomes picked up a fifth booking so the Portuguese midfielder misses out here. They may well go with a slightly more attacking option to replace him given the fixture so Goncalo Guedes and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde could both be considered.
Otherwise, it is hard to see them making too many changes and O’Neil will not have been too disappointed with the performance of his side on Monday night despite the result.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Johnstone; Semedo, Toti Gomes, Bueno; Doherty, Andre, Lemina, Ait-Nouri; Hwang, Cunha; Strand Larsen
Unavailable: Mosquera (Injured), Traore (Injured), Gonzalez (Injured), Kalajdzic (Injured), Joao Gomes (Suspended), Sa (Injured), Sarabia (Injured)
Questionable:
Ipswich Team News: Change in midfield possible
Kieran McKenna does not have any major new injury concerns so it will be interesting to see how he lines up for this game and if he makes any changes. Kalvin Phillips was an unused substitute last weekend and they are clearly being careful with his fitness as he returns from a knock but it would be no surprise if he came into the line-up.
There may be the odd tweak elsewhere in the attacking wide areas potentially, but wholesale changes are unlikely.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Muric; H. Clarke, O'Shea, Greaves, Davis; Morsy, Cajuste; Hutchinson, Chaplin, Szmodics; Delap
Unavailable: Donacien (Injured), Hirst (Injured), Ogbene (Injured), Tuanzebe (Injured)
Questionable:
Wolves vs Ipswich Prediction
This really is a huge encounter for both of these teams and if either want to survive, they simply have to win. That being said, the risks of losing are even more damaging and could well see both teams being unlikely to take too many risks. The tension will in the air and with both teams losing their last three matches, they will likely focus on defence first and then try hit their opponents on the counter.
We are not expecting a classic here and that could very well lead to a low-scoring affair. Even if there is an early goal, it is unlikely to develop into a wide-open match and we strongly favour under 2.5 goals being scored over the course of 90 minutes.
Wolves vs Ipswich Tip: Under 2.5 goals
