Ipswich vs. Wolverhampton Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips, 5 April 2025 - bettingexpert
As we approach the 31st round of the Premier League, Ipswich Town hosts Wolverhampton Wanderers at Portman Road, with both teams fiercely battling to stay afloat in the league. Ipswich currently sits in 18th place with 20 points, while Wolverhampton is just one spot above in 17th with 29 points.
Referee Peter Bankes will take charge of this critical match, which is poised to be a nail-biter given the tense relegation battle both teams find themselves in. Ipswich recently secured a morale-boosting 2-1 victory over Bournemouth but remains nine points from safety. Wolverhampton, on the other hand, comes off a solid 1-0 win against West Ham, marking their second consecutive victory and giving them a vital cushion in the relegation zone.
Liam Delap will be key for Ipswich, having scored 11 goals this season, while Wolverhampton will look to Matheus Cunha, their top scorer with 13 goals, to make the difference.
Despite their recent form trends, both teams are evenly matched, making a draw seem likely. Our recommended bet is indeed to back a draw, as the desperation for points may result in a tense, closely contested match.
Ipswich vs Wolverhampton Prediction & Betting Tip
Given the current standings and form of both teams, our recommended betting tip is to back a draw. Both Ipswich and Wolverhampton are in a desperate battle to avoid relegation, and their recent trends point towards a closely contested match with little to separate them.
| Ipswich vs Wolverhampton Prediction | |
|---|---|
| Betting tip | Odds |
| Draw | 3.29 |
- Both teams have shown a propensity for drawing matches recently, with Ipswich having a relatively high average goal rate, while Wolverhampton tends to score in most away matches.
- The tense nature of a relegation fight means both teams are likely to be cautious, further increasing the likelihood of a draw.
- Referee Peter Bankes has awarded several penalties and a good number of yellow cards this season, indicating that a tight, competitive game is on the cards.
Ipswich vs Wolverhampton Odds
Let’s take a quick look at the betting odds for this crucial Premier League matchup:
| Ipswich vs Wolverhampton Betting Odds | |
|---|---|
| Bet | Odds |
| Ipswich | 2.78 |
| Draw | 3.29 |
| Wolverhampton | 2.56 |
Both teams are fighting to escape the relegation zone, making this match highly unpredictable. Wolverhampton might have a slight edge being the bookmaker’s favourite, but Ipswich’s determination shouldn’t be underestimated.
Recent history and form suggest a close encounter, so betting on a draw at 3.29 seems like a wise choice.
Ipswich Team Analysis
Ipswich Recent Performance
Ipswich Town has experienced an up-and-down stretch of games recently. Here’s a closer look at their last five results:
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bournemouth | Ipswich Town | 2025-04-02 | Premier League | 1-2 (Win) |
| Ipswich Town | Nottingham Forest | 2025-03-15 | Premier League | 2-4 (Loss) |
| Crystal Palace | Ipswich Town | 2025-03-08 | Premier League | 1-0 (Loss) |
| Nottingham Forest | Ipswich Town | 2025-03-03 | FA Cup | 1-1 (Penalty*5-4) |
| Manchester United | Ipswich Town | 2025-02-26 | Premier League | 3-2 (Loss) |
Ipswich’s recent form is middling at best, with only one win out of their last five matches. They’ve scored an average of 2.20 goals per game in this stretch but have struggled defensively, conceding 2.1 goals on average per match this season overall. Their lack of clean sheets, particularly in the last five matches, underscores their defensive issues.
Furthermore, their recent victory against Bournemouth was encouraging, but inconsistent performances and key injuries have taken a toll. They’ll need to fortify their defense while maintaining their offensive output if they hope to climb out of the relegation zone.
Ipswich Key Players
Liam Delap will undoubtedly be the key player for Ipswich Town. As their top scorer with 11 goals this season, his ability to find the net will be crucial if Ipswich hopes to climb out of the relegation zone. Despite speculation about his future, Delap remains focused on the task at hand.
Supporting Delap upfront will be Nathan Broadhead and Julio Enciso, who bring creativity and dynamism to the attack.
Ipswich will need a solid performance from Alex Palmer in goal, given their defensive struggles. Key defensive duties will fall on Axel Tuanzebe and Dara O’Shea, who must neutralize Wolverhampton’s threats, particularly from Jørgen Strand Larsen.
Expected lineup for Ipswich:
- Goalkeeper: Alex Palmer
- Defenders: Axel Tuanzebe, Dara O’Shea, Cameron Burgess, Conor Townsend
- Midfielders: Sam Morsy, Jens-Lys Cajuste, Ben Johnson, Nathan Broadhead, Julio Enciso
- Forward: Liam Delap
Look out for interesting battles, particularly between Delap and Wolverhampton’s defensive line, as they try to contain Ipswich’s main offensive threat.
Ipswich Suspensions & Injuries
Ipswich Town is dealing with a significant list of injuries that could impact their performance against Wolverhampton. Key players, including Janoi Donacien and Chiedozie Ogbene, are out with long-term injuries, which has forced manager Kieran McKenna to make various adjustments throughout the season.
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Janoi Donacien | Groin injury | Unknown |
| Chiedozie Ogbene | Achilles tendon injury | Early May 2025 |
| Wes Burns | Cruciate ligament injury | Mid-October 2025 |
| Samuel Szmodics | Ankle injury | Early May 2025 |
| Arijanet Muric | Shoulder injury | Late April 2025 |
| Omari Hutchinson | Hamstring injury | Late April 2025 |
With so many key players unavailable, Ipswich will have to rely heavily on their bench strength and the form of fit players to pull off a result.
Ipswich Tactics and Formation
- Formation: 4-2-3-1
- Key Forward: Liam Delap, leading scorer with 11 goals this season
- Midfield Trio: Sam Morsy, Jens-Lys Cajuste, Ben Johnson
- Defensive Line: Axel Tuanzebe, Dara O’Shea, Cameron Burgess, Conor Townsend. Notably, Ipswich has conceded an average of 2.1 goals per game this season.
- Notable Strategy: Reliance on counter-attacks and set-pieces. Ipswich’s forwards, like Delap, can exploit defensive lapses.
- Recent Form: Scored an average of 2.20 goals in the last five matches, but defensive issues remain a concern as shown by zero clean sheets in the same period.
Ipswich Town will likely stick to their favored 4-2-3-1 formation, exploiting the pace and creativity of their wingers and Delap’s goal-scoring prowess. However, defensive vulnerabilities could be their undoing.
Wolverhampton Team Analysis
Recent Performance
Wolverhampton Wanderers have shown a mixed bag of results in their last five matches but have managed to pick up some key victories, which have been crucial in their fight to avoid relegation this season.
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wolverhampton | West Ham | 2025-04-01 | Premier League | 1-0 (Win) |
| Southampton | Wolverhampton | 2025-03-15 | Premier League | 1-2 (Win) |
| Wolverhampton | Everton | 2025-03-08 | Premier League | 1-1 (Draw) |
| Bournemouth | Wolverhampton | 2025-03-01 | FA Cup | 1-1 (Loss, on penalties) |
| Wolverhampton | Fulham | 2025-02-25 | Premier League | 1-2 (Loss) |
Recent Form: LWWWD
In their recent fixtures, Wolves have been fairly consistent, especially in scoring, as they’ve netted an average of 2.00 goals per game. Defensive solidity has been a bit of mixed affair; they’ve managed one clean sheet in the last five matches, which came in their narrow 1-0 win against West Ham.
Their form in the league shows they can manage to scrape out crucial points away from home, evidenced by the wins against Southampton and the resilient draw with Everton.
Wolverhampton Key Players
Wolverhampton’s squad is set to feature standout performers, with their expected lineup closely resembling their last match configuration:
- Goalkeeper: Jose Sa
- Defenders: Matt Doherty, Emmanuel Agbadou, Toti Gomes
- Midfielders: Nelson Semedo, Joao Gomes, Andre, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Marshall Munetsi, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde
- Forward: Joergen Strand Larsen
Matheus Cunha is a crucial player to watch, being the top scorer with 13 goals. His battle against Ipswich’s defensive line, particularly against Axel Tuanzebe and Dara O’Shea, will be vital.
Nelson Semedo and Rayan Ait-Nouri bring the agility and creativity needed in the midfield, potentially outmaneuvering Ipswich’s Jens-Lys Cajuste and Sam Morsy. Overall, Wolves’ balanced lineup from defense to attack gives them a competitive edge.
Wolverhampton Suspensions & Injuries
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Sasa Kalajdzic | Cruciate ligament injury | Mid April 2025 |
| Enso González | Cruciate ligament injury | Early May 2025 |
| Yerson Mosquera | Knee injury | Mid August 2025 |
| Leon Chiwome | Cruciate ligament injury | Late September 2025 |
Wolverhampton are grappling with several key injuries, which could affect their squad depth and tactical flexibility. Sasa Kalajdzic and Enso González, both sidelined with long-term cruciate ligament injuries, will miss out on crucial matches. The absence of Yerson Mosquera due to a knee injury further weakens their defensive options.
These injuries could force the Wolves to rely heavily on their current starters, potentially leading to fatigue as the season progresses. The squad’s ability to adapt to these gaps will be pivotal in maintaining their performance in upcoming fixtures.
Wolverhampton Tactics and Formation
Wolverhampton’s Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 3-4-2-1
- Key Forward: Joergen Strand Larsen
- Creative Midfielders: Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, Marshall Munetsi
- Defensive Setup: Matt Doherty, Emmanuel Agbadou, Toti Gomes
Wolverhampton has opted for the 3-4-2-1 formation in four of their last five matches, which provides a balanced approach to both attack and defense. This setup allows for a solid defensive base with three center-backs and versatile wing-backs in Nelson Semedo and Rayan Ait Nouri pushing forward.
In midfield, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and Marshall Munetsi offer creativity and ball control to link up with the lone striker, Joergen Strand Larsen.
Their defensive strategy has led to one clean sheet in the last five games, indicating a stable but penetrable defense. The Wolves will likely rely on quick counter-attacks and maintaining a well-organized backline to keep Ipswich at bay.
Ipswich vs Wolverhampton Head-to-Head Statistics
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wolverhampton | Ipswich | 2024-12-14 | Premier League | 1-2 (Win) |
| Ipswich | Wolverhampton | 2023-09-26 | EFL Cup | 3-2 (Win) |
| Ipswich | Wolverhampton | 2018-01-27 | Championship | 0-1 (Loss) |
| Wolverhampton | Ipswich | 2017-12-23 | Championship | 1-0 (Loss) |
| Ipswich | Wolverhampton | 2017-03-07 | Championship | 0-0 (Draw) |
Ipswich and Wolverhampton have a well-documented rivalry in various competitions. Their last five encounters have been a mixed bag of results, showing how evenly matched these teams can be.
Ipswich have managed to defeat Wolverhampton in their two most recent meetings, including a thrilling 3-2 victory in the EFL Cup.
However, Wolverhampton secured back-to-back wins in the Championship in 2018 and 2017. These clashes suggest a competitive game lies ahead on 5 April 2025.
Odds accurate as of 04.03.2025 3:06 PM, and are subject to change. Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.
