Ipswich host Southampton in a Championship clash between two of last season’s relegated teams from the top flight.
Victory will lift Ipswich as high as fourth in the table, whilst Southampton can climb into the top four with a win.
Team News
Jaden Philogene is set to feature for Ipswich after he missed their opening two matches with a minor ankle injury.
Azor Matusiwa (groin) is a doubt but Jens Cajuste and Chuba Akpom won’t be rushed into action due to a lack of pre-season training prior to their arrivals.
Wes Burns, Conor Townsend (both ACL) and Harry Clarke (knee) remain ruled out.
Southampton could welcome Tyler Dibling back after he missed their last two games due to rumours about his future at the club.
Joe Aribo and Samuel Edozie however are still absent due to uncertainty over their futures on the South Coast.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis (ankle), Will Smallbone (calf) and James Bree (unspecified) are sidelined.
When is Kick-Off?
Ipswich meet Southampton at Portman Road on Sunday 17 August at 12pm BST, live on Sky Sports Football in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Ipswich have lost just one of their last five league meetings against Southampton (W2, D2, L1).
- Southampton have lost three of their last eight league visits to Ipswich (W4, D1, L3).
- Ipswich conceded first in each of their last two league meetings against Southampton (W1, L1).
- Ipswich are yet to win a league game at home in 2025 (L9).
- Southampton have failed to win any of their last six away games (D1, L5).
Prediction
Ipswich’s biggest issue in their two opening games has been their poor shot conversion which was particularly evident against a robust Bromley defence in the Carabao Cup, but their cup exit now allows Ipswich to focus primarily on the league in coming months and particularly on their final touches.
Southampton meanwhile were simply relentless against Wrexham in their opening league game but encountered a similar issue in their finishing touches in their Carabao Cup win at Northampton, but a clean sheet is a positive for them to build on in East Anglia.
Either way, this clash feels like it will be scrappy but I do feel like Southampton might have the edge especially given that Ipswich are lacking composure, which will take time to sort whereas the Saints already look solid but a draw ultimately is my gut instinct if the visitors don’t win.
Prediction: Ipswich 1-1 Southampton
Result: Ipswich 1-1 Southampton
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