Ipswich Town vs Manchester City: Prediction, Preview & Betting Tips

Ipswich Town have only won once at home this season, having gained seven points from a possible 33 on offer. The Tractor Boys have lost four of their previous five home league matches, failing to score in three of those four.

Manchester City are unbeaten in their previous four league games, with two wins and two draws. Both teams have scored in five of the previous seven involving Manchester City and both teams scored in the previous meeting between the two teams in August - Ipswich Town 1-2 Manchester City

Ipswich Town host Manchester City in the Premier League, with both sides looking for a win at opposite ends of the table.

Date: 19/01/25

Kick-off time: 16:30

Venue: Portman Road

An immediate return to the Championship may be on the cards for Ipswich as they currently sit in the relegation zone. It has been a tough campaign for the Tractor Boys, who have won just three games all season. However, they recently won their first home game since their promotion in a 2-0 victory over Chelsea three games ago. They remain in the bottom three on goals scored, level on points and goal difference with 17th place Wolves.

They face a Manchester City team who appear to be regaining some form after a dreadful stretch. They are in sixth place with 35 points, three behind fourth place Newcastle. They were unable to make it three wins in a row after they squandered a late lead at Brentford, but City did enjoy back-to-back wins against Leicester and West Ham.

City will be hopeful of creating plenty of chances against an Ipswich defence who have only kept two clean sheets in the league all season. Erling Haaland is back in the goals of late with three in his last three appearances. Phil Foden has also emerged as a threat once more with a brace against Brentford last time out. The visitors have scored eight in their last three games in addition to a further eight in the FA Cup at home to Salford City.

The hosts have struggled in front of goal this season, with just 20 goals overall. Only Southampton and Everton have scored fewer. However, they have been encouraged by the performances of ex-City man Liam Delap, who they signed permanently in the summer. The 21-year-old has scored eight times this season and has impressed in his debut campaign. City have kept just one clean sheet in seven league games, so the opportunities should be there.

This will be just the second meeting between these two sides in the last 20 years. The first was the reverse fixture earlier this season, when Man City were 4-1 winners at the Etihad. Haaland scored a hat-trick adding to another goal from Kevin De Bruyne. Ipswich had taken a shock lead through Sammie Szmodics.

Ipswich Town vs Man City will be available to watch on Sky Sports Main Event & Premier League.

Ipswich Town

Kieran McKenna will hope to have Omari Hutchinson available for selection following a groin injury. Sammie Szmodics remains out, however, as he continues to deal with an ankle issue.

Man City

Man City remain without Ruben Dias, but could see the return of John Stones which would give a huge boost to the defence. Oscar Bobb is nearing a comeback in February, while Rodri is a long-term absentee. Pep Guardiola should have the rest of his squad available.

Ipswich Town:

In their last five games, Ipswich have won two, lost two and drawn one. It has been a solid stretch for the Tractor Boys, though they are still struggling in the relegation zone. This run started with a narrow 1-0 defeat at Arsenal. They held their own defensively, but a Kai Havertz strike in the first half was the difference between the two sides.

A first home win of the season came against Chelsea in a huge 2-0 victory. Liam Delap won and converted a controversial penalty, before former Blue Omari Hutchinson doubled the lead shortly into the second half. They followed this with a 2-2 draw away at Fulham. Ipswich took the lead twice, but were pegged back by two penalties, including one in stoppage time.

They advanced to the fourth round of the FA Cup with a 3-0 win over Bristol Rovers. Kalvin Phillips, Jack Clarke and Jack Taylor were the goalscorers. Their most recent game was a 2-0 home defeat to Brighton. Kaoru Mitoma and Georginio Rutter scored the goals in the second half.

Man City:

In their last five games, Man City have won three and drawn two. It has been a much better stretch for City as of late following a long winless period. This run started with a home game against Everton. They were held to a 1-1 draw, despite taking the lead through Bernardo Silva. Iliman Ndiaye scored the equaliser before Erling Haaland had a second half penalty saved by Jordan Pickford.

A 2-0 victory at Leicester followed, with Savinho and Haaland scoring either side of half-time. They made it two wins in a row with a convincing 4-1 win at home to West Ham. An own goal put City ahead, before a Haaland brace and Phil Foden strike put the game to bed early in the second half. Niclas Fullkrug scored a consolation with 20 minutes to go.

Attention shifted to the FA Cup third round where City hosted Salford. The gulf in quality proved far too big as the home side were 8-0 winners. Jeremy Doku (x2), Divin Mubama, Nico O’Reilly, Jack Grealish and James McAtee (x3) were all on the scoresheet. Last time out, City blew a lead late on to draw 2-2 at Brentford. They took a 2-0 lead through Foden, but two goals in the final 10 minutes, including the leveller in stoppage time, meant the points were shared.

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