Match Preview: Ipswich vs Brighton (Premier League)

Fixture: Ipswich Town vs Brighton & Hove Albion

Date: Thursday, 16 January 2025

Kickoff Time: 19:30 GMT

Venue: Portman Road, Ipswich

Competition: Premier League, Matchweek 21

• Out: Axel Tuanzebe (Hamstring), Chiedozie Ogbene (Achilles), Omari Hutchinson (Muscle), Conor Chaplin (Knee).
• Returning: Massimo Luongo (Illness).
  

• Out: Danny Welbeck (Ankle), Evan Ferguson (Ankle), Igor (Thigh), Ferdi Kadioglu (Toe).
• Doubtful: Jack Hinshelwood (Knee), James Milner (Hamstring), Mats Wieffer (Thigh), Joao Pedro (Ankle)
  

(Last 5 Matches):

• Ipswich: 3-0 Bristol Rovers
• Draw: Fulham 2–2 Ipswich
• Win: Ipswich 2–0 Chelsea
• Loss: Arsenal 1–0 Ipswich
• Loss: Ipswich 0–4 Newcastle

Key Stat: Ipswich have scored in four of their last five matches, demonstrating resilience despite injury woes.

(Last 5 Matches):

• Win: Norwich City 0-4 Brighton
• Draw: Brighton 1–1 Arsenal
• Draw: Aston Villa 2–2 Brighton
• Draw: Brighton 0–0 Brentford
• Draw: West Ham 1–1 Brighton

Key Stat: Brighton are unbeaten in their last four league games but have drawn all four underscoring their difficulty in securing wins.

• Goalkeeper: Christian Walton
• Defenders: Ben Johnson, Dara O’Shea, Jacob Greaves, Luke Woolfenden, Leif Davis
• Midfielders: Sam Szomidcs, Sam Morsy, Jens Cajuste, Nathan Broadhead
• Forward: Liam Delap
  

• Goalkeeper: Bart Verbruggen
  Defenders: Joel Veltman, Lewis Dunk, Jan Paul van Hecke, Pervis Estupiñán
• Midfielders: Yasin Ayari, Carlos Baleba
• Attacking Midfielders: Simon Adingra, Matt O'Riley, Kaoru Mitoma
• Forward: Georginio Rutter
  

Manager Kieran McKenna will aim for a disciplined counter-attacking approach, capitalising on Liam Delap’s pace and tenacity up front. With a strong defensive core, Ipswich will seek to frustrate Brighton’s possession-based style while exploiting gaps in transition, looking to pick up vital points as they fight against relegation.

Strengths:

• Defensive organisation, especially at home.
• Effective use of set pieces.

Weaknesses:

• Lack of depth due to injuries, which could stifle creativity and scoring options.
  

Under Fabian Hürzeler, Brighton will rely on their characteristic possession-heavy play, looking to create overloads in wide areas through Mitoma and Estupiñán. The absence of key strikers Welbeck and Pedro, however, may hinder their ability to convert dominance into goals.

Strengths:

• Creative wing play and midfield control.
• Tactical fluidity in attack.

Weaknesses:

• Vulnerability to counter-attacks.
• Inefficiency in converting chances into goals.
  

Liam Delap: The young forward has been crucial for Ipswich, leading the line with pace and clinical finishing.

Kaoru Mitoma: The Japanese winger’s creativity and dribbling ability make him a constant threat down the flanks.

• Total Matches: 18
• Ipswich Wins: 7
• Brighton Wins: 5
• Draws: 6

Last Meeting: Brighton 0–0 Ipswich (14 September 2024, Premier League)

Key Stat: Ipswich hold the upper hand at Portman Road, having won four of the eight encounters against Brighton at home.

Brighton are expected to control possession, while Ipswich rely on counter-attacks to exploit gaps in the Ipswich defence. Both sides’ recent form suggests an open contest, with defensive lapses likely leading to goals. Set pieces could be a decisive factor, especially for the hosts.

Score Prediction: Ipswich Town 2–2 Brighton & Hove Albion
A competitive and high-energy clash, with both teams sharing the spoils in a thrilling draw.

Brighton’s last victory at Portman Road came in August 2015 in a dramatic 3–2 affair. Can they break Ipswich’s home resilience, or will the hosts once again dominate on familiar turf?

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All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publication.