Ipswich make their return to the Premier League on August 22 when they host Sunderland at Portman Road.
Tractor Boys Better Prepared for Challenges Posed by the EPL
Ipswich Town will be better prepared for their return to the Premier League this season following relegation a couple of seasons ago. Much of their summer in that year was spent preparing for an immediate return to the Championship, and players like Dara O’Shea, Jade Philogene, and Alex Palmer remain key components in their starting eleven.
Philogene will be a main attacking threat after registering 12 goals in 36 games in the Championship last term. Premier League experience has been added with the signings of Issa Diop, Sasa Lukic, and Abdul Fatawu.
Emersonn will be tasked with leading the line after scoring six times in 27 for Toulouse last term. Gary O’Neil will be without Azor Matusiwa for the opening day of the season.
Ipswich Town predicted lineup vs Sunderland (4-2-3-1): Palmer; O’Shea, Diop, Greaves, Davis; Lukic, Egeli; Maeda, Nunez, Philogene; Emersonn
Sunderland Aiming to Build on Dream EPL Return
Regis Le Bris oversaw a memorable return to the Premier League for Sunderland, which ended with European qualification for the first time since 1973-74. However, the Black Cats will be desperate not to fall victim to second season syndrome.
Much of their summer has been spent retaining stars from last term, with Granit Xhaka, Nordi Mukiele, and Brian Brobbey all remaining loyal. There’s new experience in the squad following the signing of French full-back Thomas Meunier.
Brobbey will be a key player after scoring seven times last term. The striker has already opened his account in pre-season for 2026-27. Meunier is the only injury concern on the opening weekend.
Sunderland predicted lineup vs Ipswich Town (4-2-3-1): Roefs; Hume, Ballard, Mukiele, Reinildo; Xhaka, Sadiki; Talbi, Le Fee, Angulo; Brobbey
Ipswich Town vs Sunderland Prediction
- Safe Tip: Over 1.5 Goals
- Odds: 1.27 (22Bet)
- 22Bet Booking Code: VCRN7
- Correct score prediction: Ipswich Town 2-1 Sunderland
Key stats:
- Six of Ipswich’s seven pre-season games have seen at least two goals scored.
- Sunderland’s previous three fixtures have had a minimum of two goals.
- At least two goals have been scored in the last four head-to-head encounters.
An entertaining first match of the season is set for Portman Road, and the attacking records of both sides indicate value in over 1.5 goals.
This is supported by the fact that each of the previous four head-to-head encounters between Ipswich and Sunderland have seen at least two goals scored.
Ipswich’s attack has flourished throughout pre-season, as the Tractor Boys have scored at least two strikes in three of their previous four outings. Sunderland have also shown attacking intent in their recent friendlies, registering two goals in victories over Rennes and Lens.
Ipswich Town vs Sunderland Prediction, Value Tip
- Value Tip: Ipswich Town to Win
- Odds: 2.735 (22Bet)
- 22Bet Booking Code: KV3P7
Home form is going to be integral to Ipswich’s survival prospects this season. The Tractor Boys thrived at Portman Road last term, avoiding defeat in 22 of their 23 fixtures. They have also been defensively solid during pre-season, allowing no more than one goal in four of their last five.
Ipswich have avoided defeat in nine of their previous eleven home fixtures against Sunderland, and they have recorded wins in each of their most recent two.
Verdict: Over 1.5 Goals (1.27) — Ipswich Town 2-1 Sunderland
