Ipswich vs Fulham Premier League prediction: Baptism of fire over for Tractor Boys?
Newly promoted Ipswich Town are seeking their first win of the Premier League season when they host Fulham at Portman Road.
Three Ipswich vs Fulham predictions
Ipswich 2-2 Fulham (14/1 with Bet365)
Fulham were unbeaten against last season’s promoted sides, albeit winning only once at Luton. However, 16 goals were scored across those three away fixtures, and this could be another entertaining, high-scoring affair.
Over 2.5 goals (4/5 with Bet365)
No stadium in the Championship witnessed more goals last season than Portman Road, where 91 strikes were scored across 23 matches—or, in other words, 3.96 per game. Fulham comes into this fixture having seen over 2.5 goals scored in six of its eight most recent Premier League away games.
Emile Smith Rowe to score anytime (18/5 with BetUK)
Emile Smith Rowe scored his first Premier League goal for Fulham in their 2-1 win over Leicester, ending a run of 31 appearances without a goal in the competition. He is looking to score in consecutive games for the first time since netting in all four of his appearances in December 2021 for Arsenal.
How both teams go into Ipswich vs Fulham
After much speculation about his future, Ipswich head coach Kieran McKenna committed his future to the club where his managerial career has genuinely taken off. Having guided the Suffolk-based club back into England’s top division after a 22-year absence, they could not have asked for a more challenging start, with matches against title favourites Liverpool (home) and Manchester City (away) to begin their Premier League campaign.
The scenario of coming into matchday three with zero points came to fruition. The new boys suffered a 2-0 loss to Arne Slot’s men before going in front against the champions, and Erling Haaland inspired City to a 4-1 victory. Only in 1949/50 (Third Division South), 1956/57 (Third Division South), and 2006/07 (Championship) have the Tractor Boys ever lost each of their opening three matches of a league campaign.
Fulham, meanwhile, come into the 2024/25 season looking to carry their final-day success over Luton, which ended a four-game winless run (two draws and two losses), into a winning start. Marco Silva’s men begin at Old Trafford, where they were victorious last term but suffered a narrow 1-0 loss before successfully beating another promoted side, Leicester City, at home. The Cottagers have only won as many as two of their first three games in two previous Premier League campaigns, in 2003–04 and 2008–09 (both two wins and one loss).
Ipswich face Fulham at 3pm (UK time) on Saturday 31st August at Portman Road.
Ipswich team news
No Ipswich players have reported any issues from Man City or Wimbledon defeats. However, Wes Burns (thigh), Nathan Broadhead (thigh), George Hirst (knee), Harry Clarke (calf), and Janoi Donacien (groin) are currently sidelined.
Head coach McKenna rotated the squad for the EFL Cup, with new signings Chiedozie Ogbene, Kalvin Phillips, Dara O’Shea, and Jens Cajuste all starting. It’s unlikely that any of them will retain their places for the next match.
Despite Conor Chaplin’s late equaliser, Sam Szmodics is expected to replace him in the starting lineup. Szmodics aims to become the first Ipswich player since Adam Tanner in January 1995 to score in their first two Premier League starts.
Fulham team news
Fulham once again have a clean bill of health this weekend. Cottagers boss Marco Silva gave Sander Berge his full debut and Joachim Andersen his second Fulham start — and his first since his return — in midweek. However, both players are likely to be on the bench in East Anglia. Indeed, Fulham might field the same starting eleven for the third game in a row in the Premier League.
Ipswich vs Fulham head-to-head
Fulham have won their last six meetings with Ipswich after failing to win 12 on the bounce (eight losses and four draws).
| Ipswich vs Fulham H2H | |||||||
| Date | Score | Ground | |||||
| 01 Nov 2023 | Ipswich 1-3 Fulham | Portman Road | |||||
| 16 Sep 2020 | Ipswich 0-1 Fulham | Portman Road | |||||
| 02 Jan 2018 | Fulham 4-1 Ipswich | Craven Cottage | |||||
| 26 Aug 2017 | Ipswich 0-2 Fulham | Portman Road | |||||
| 08 Apr 2017 | Fulham 3-1 Ipswich | Craven Cottage | |||||
| 26 Dec 2016 | Ipswich 0-2 Fulham | Portman Road | |||||
How to watch Ipswich vs Fulham live
Ipswich face Fulham on matchday three of the 2024/25 Premier League season at 3pm (UK time) on Saturday 31st August, though the game won’t be broadcast live in the UK.
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