Ipswich vs Brighton Prediction Preview

The games are coming thick and fast in the domestic calendar now, as Matthew O’Regan readies his Ipswich vs Brighton prediction previews. The meeting earlier in the season saw The Tractor Boys somehow hold firm to hold Brighton to a 0-0 draw, but it would be a surprise if a similar scoreline transpires due to both sides strength in attack. 

Ipswich vs Brighton Prediction: Goals Galore at Portman Road

England, Premier League, Thursday, January 16th, 19:30 (UK)

After struggling in the early stages of the Premier League, Ipswich are finally to click after beating Chelsea 2-0 and drawing 2-2 at Fulham. The Tractor Boys are in the relegation zone on goal difference and will be inspired by Wolves upcoming difficult fixtures. 

Surprisingly, McKenna’s side have taken fewer points at home than they have at home so the Northern Irishman will be looking to turn their Suffolk form around. Of their ten games at Portman Road, half have seen both teams scoring.

Whilst League One Bristol Rovers weren’t the most strenuous test in the FA Cup, Ipswich were dominant in the 3-0 win so will have confidence heading into this game. Liam Delap has been a stand out player for the Tractor Boys since his summer move from Manchester City. The 21-year-old has eight goals and two assists in 18 Premier League starts. He was rested in the routine win against Bristol Rovers and will be crucial if Ipswich are to take anything from Thursday’s tough clash. 

The visitors to East England on Thursday night are Brighton. The Seagulls top the league for away games that have seen BTTS, with eight of their ten league games seeing this feat. Fabian Hurzeler’s side scored in every away game, only keeping a clean sheet at Everton (0.45 xGa) and Newcastle (2.02 xGa). 

Igor Julio limped off injured in the last league game, a 1-1 draw with Arsenal. He joins club captain Lewis Dunk on the injury list, meaning Adam Webster may start at centre-back – a player who is far down the pecking order in an unsettled Brighton defence. 

A strong Brighton team put four goals past Ipswich’s bitter rivals Norwich in the FA Cup, with Hurzerler praising the talent and depth of his potent attack. While Brighton lack the numbers and depth defensively, they boast an attack that would be the envy of most in the league, with a plethora of attacking options. 

With Ipswich at home, they should expect to get on the score sheet against a shaky Brighton defence. However, with the visitors scoring in every away game this season, we should be in for a high scoring, entertaining clash at Portman Road. 

• Ipswich vs Brighton Prediction: Both Teams To Score and Over 2.5 goals (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 1.95
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 10/10

Ipswich vs Brighton Prediction odds via bet365 as at 00:00 January 13, 2025 Odds may now differ.

Ipswich vs Brighton Injuries, Team News and Possible Lineups Prediction: Injuries issue persist for Brighton

On the injury front, Axel Tuanzebe, who had a stormer in the reverse fixture, remains out. Chiedozie Ogbene, Conor Chaplin, Omari Hutchinson and Sammie Szmodics remain out too. George Hirst was given 17 minutes off the bench in the FA Cup – his first minutes since November after suffering injury against Tottenham. 

Brighton’s injury issues have been well documented, with a host of players remaining out. Jack Hinshelwood, Ferdi Kadioglu, Igor Julio, Lewis Dunk, James Milner, Diego Gomez, Evan Ferguson, Joao Pedro and Mats Wieffer should miss the game. However, Danny Welbeck returned to the match-day squad against Norwich, while Solly March scored his first goal for 14 months after a sustained period out due to a knee injury. 

Ipswich possible starting lineup:
Walton; Johnson, O’Shea, Woolfenden, Greaves, Davis; Broadhead, Cajuste, Morsy, Clarke; Delap

Brighton possible starting lineup:
Verbruggen; Veltman, Van Hecke, Webster, Estupinan; Baleba, Ayari; Minteh, Rutter, Mitoma; Welbeck

Match OPTA Stats

• This is Ipswich’s first home league game against Brighton since a 0-0 draw in the Championship in  September 2016, and first in the top-flight since a 2-0 win in January 1983. 
• Brighton are winless in their last four league games against Ipswich, with each of the last three finishing  level (L1). There have been just three goals scored across these four games (2 for Ipswich, 1 for Brighton). 
• Ipswich have picked up as many points (4) and scored as many goals (4) in their last two Premier League  games as they had in their previous seven beforehand. 
• Each of Brighton’s last four Premier League games have ended level. The last side to draw five successive  matches in the competition were Fulham from December 2020 to January 2021, while the Seagulls last  drew five league fixtures in a row in April 2000 when they were a fourth tier side under Micky Adams. 
• Ipswich have had fewer shots from open play (122) than any other side in the Premier League this season,  while their open play expected goals figure of 13.1 is also a league-low. 

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