Relegation-battling Ipswich host Newcastle United at Portman Road.
Victory will lift Ipswich out of the relegation zone until Sunday afternoon at minimum, whilst Newcastle can go sixth if Aston Villa, Brentford and Brighton lose elsewhere.
Team News
Sammie Szmodics could return for Ipswich after he missed their win at Wolves due to illness.
Liam Delap is suspended following his fifth booking of the season.
Axel Tuanzebe (hamstring), George Hirst (knee) and Chiedozie Ogbene (Achilles) remain ruled out.
Newcastle will be without Joelinton who is suspended following his fifth booking in their league win over Leicester, although he was available for their midweek Carabao Cup win over Brentford.
Emil Krafth (shoulder), Callum Wilson (hamstring), Nick Pope, Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles (all knee) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Ipswich host Newcastle at Portman Road on Saturday 21 December at 3pm GMT, untelevised live in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Ipswich have won one of eight previous Premier League meetings against Newcastle (W1, D3, L4).
- Newcastle have lost one of four previous Premier League trips to Ipswich (W2, D1, L1).
- Both teams have one of their two previous clashes at Portman Road.
- Dara O’Shea has made more clearances than any other Ipswich player (69).
- Alexander Isak has scored in six of Newcastle’s last eight league matches.
Prediction
Having executed a clinical win over Wolves, Ipswich need to kick on and produce a similar performance because I can’t see them getting anything against Arsenal or Chelsea in their next two games.
Newcastle though have rediscovered their groove lately and after two dominant home displays, they need to bring that intensity but I do feel that they might need to be patient against a solidly organised Ipswich.
Away fans might also feel Deja vu because this time last year Newcastle lost at then relegation-battling Luton, but I don’t see that happening here unless they switch off.
Prediction: Ipswich 0-2 Newcastle
Result: Ipswich 0-4 Newcastle
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