Looking to end a sobering campaign on a high note, Ipswich Town welcome West Ham United to Portman Road in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.
The Tractor Boys’ poor form continued at the home of Leicester City last time out, whilst the Hammers were the latest victims of Nottingham Forest.
Match preview
© Imago
After automatic promotion from the Championship last season, Ipswich Town returned to the Premier League for the first time in over two decades, and Sunday afternoon’s hosts have found the task too tricky in truth, with the East Anglians set for an immediate return to the second tier.
The Tractor Boys’ current winless run extended to a woeful seven matches last weekend, when goals from Leicester legend Jamie Vardy and youngster Kasey McAteer won the contest for the Foxes at the King Power Stadium in a battle between two sides who will depart the top flight in the coming days.
Collecting just two points from their last seven top-flight clashes, Kieran McKenna‘s men are languishing down in 19th spot in the Premier League standings ahead of this weekend’s hosting of the Hammers, a mammoth 16 points behind Tottenham Hotspur in the safety of 17th.
Having tasted victory on just the single occasion across 18 matches at Portman Road this season, it is not a surprise that the Tractor Boys are preparing for life in the Championship, with Ipswich’s most recent success in the Premier League at the venue coming against Chelsea back in December.
Whilst McKenna will aim to retain the core of his squad for a promotion fight in the second tier next term, there are a number of stars who will undoubtedly head through the exit door this summer, including leading goalscorer Liam Delap, who is wanted by the likes of Manchester United and Newcastle United.
© Imago
Taking the reins at the London Stadium in January, Graham Potter is receiving mixed reviews as he navigates his first spell at West Ham United head coach, with the former Swansea City and Chelsea boss winning just four of his 18 competitive matches in charge to date, losing on nine occasions.
The Hammers’ latest defeat arrived in East London at the hands of Champions League-chasing Nottingham Forest, who snatched maximum points in the English capital courtesy of strikes either side of the half-time whistle from Morgan Gibbs-White and defender Nikola Milenkovic.
Bagging a late consolation for West Ham versus the Tricky Trees, Jarrod Bowen brought his goal tally up to 13 across all competitions for the 2024-25 term, with the Europa Conference League hero looking to cement his spot in Thomas Tuchel‘s England plans for this summer and looking towards the 2026 World Cup.
Winning just one of their last 10 Premier League contests, Potter’s troops are unsurprisingly languishing down in the lower echelons of the top-flight table in 15th position, and the Hammers could finish as low as 17th should results go against them during the final round of fixtures.
West Ham have been victorious in just five of their 18 league outings this season but are no strangers to impressive results on the road, winning at the base of Arsenal in February and conquering Manchester United at the Theatre of Dreams earlier this month.
Team News
© Imago
Ipswich are sweating over the fitness of Conor Townsend, who is getting closer to a full recovery from a hamstring injury but was unable to feature against Leicester last weekend.
There could be a spot in the Tractor Boys squad for Sammie Szmodics, who has not featured since the end of February owing to an ankle problem.
Kalvin Phillips suffered a foot injury at the beginning of May and is unlikely to feature again this season, bringing an end to his Portman Road career.
West Ham remain without the services of long-term absentees Crysencio Summerville and Michail Antonio, with the pair battling against hamstring and leg injuries respectively.
There are a number of Hammers stars who will be turning out for the final time for the club, including striker Danny Ings and goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski.
Potter was quite conservative in his team selection against Forest but should opt for a more attacking approach at Portman Road, with Niclas Fullkrug and Lucas Paqueta pushing for starts.
Ipswich Town possible starting lineup:
Palmer; Tuanzebe, O’Shea, Greaves, Davis; Morsy, Taylor, Hutchinson, Enciso, Clarke; Hirst
West Ham United possible starting lineup:
Areola; Tidibo, Kilman, Cresswell; Coufal, Alvarez, Soler, Wan-Bissaka; Kudus, Bowen, Fullkrug
We say: Ipswich Town 1-3 West Ham United
Weak at their Portman Road base this season, Ipswich are unlikely to keep a clean sheet against the likes of Bowen, Kudus and Fullkrug in attack for West Ham.
A more attacking approach from the Hammers could lead to plenty of goals in East Anglia, where they are likely to end a disappointing campaign with a positive result.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
VOTE IN THE 2024-25 SPORTS MOLE READERS’ AWARDS!
Voting is now open for the annual Sports Mole Readers’ Awards, where you can pick your player of the season, manager of the season, signing of the season and much more.
Click here to make your selections, and the winners will be announced on Monday, May 26!
