Things are looking increasingly concerning for Ipswich Town, who find themselves entrenched in the bottom three of the Premier League after a narrow 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
That result abruptly ended a promising, albeit brief, three-game unbeaten streak that had offered a glimmer of hope for the Tractor Boys. Now, they face another stern test as they welcome Crystal Palace to Portman Road for their first league meeting since 2013—a match Ipswich fans fondly remember for a commanding 3-0 victory.
Hoping for a similar result this time around might be wishful thinking. Ipswich have struggled to find the back of the net at home, scoring only five goals in front of their own supporters all season. To make matters worse, they remain the only side yet to register a home win in the Premier League, with a frustrating string of four draws and two losses at Portman Road. However, there is a silver lining: Ipswich have shown a knack for holding their own against teams from the capital, going unbeaten in their last four home league games against London clubs, with two wins and two draws to their name.
This encounter carries significant weight, even at this early stage of the season, as both teams sit level on points. For Ipswich, a win could provide a crucial morale boost and perhaps signal the start of a turnaround. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace arrive with their own share of frustrations. They needed a dramatic stoppage-time equalizer to salvage a point against Newcastle last weekend, a result that marked their third draw in four matches. While avoiding defeat is commendable, it doesn’t mask the fact that Palace have managed just one victory in their league campaign so far.
Their away form has been equally uninspiring, with three draws and three losses on the road this season. Yet, there is some optimism to be drawn from their performances against newly-promoted sides last year, where they managed to secure two crucial away wins. Breaking their away-day curse at Portman Road, however, might not come easy. December has traditionally been a tough month for Palace, with the team failing to win their opening fixture of the month in each of the past three seasons—a trend they’ll be eager to reverse.
For Ipswich, the spotlight could fall on Omari Hutchinson. The dynamic forward has developed a habit of striking at pivotal moments, with four of his last five goals arriving in the ten-minute window either side of halftime. His ability to change the course of a game with a well-timed goal could prove invaluable in a fixture as finely balanced as this one.
On the other side, Crystal Palace might look to Marc Guéhi for inspiration. While primarily known for his defensive prowess, the center-back has shown a surprising knack for scoring away from home. His last three Premier League goals have all come on the road, including two this season. If Palace are to break their winless streak away from Selhurst Park, a set-piece goal from Guéhi could be just what they need.
One concerning trend for Palace, however, is their inability to make early breakthroughs. They’ve failed to score before halftime in ten of their 13 league matches this season—a joint-worst record in the league. If Ipswich can capitalize on this slow start, they may find themselves with a golden opportunity to take control of the game and secure their first home win of the campaign.
As both sides prepare for what feels like a pivotal encounter, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Ipswich are desperate to claw their way out of the relegation zone, while Palace are equally determined to distance themselves from the bottom three. With so much on the line, this clash promises to be a tense and tightly contested affair, where every moment could prove decisive.
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