Ipswich keen to end season-long winless run in weekend clash against Everton.
Ipswich Town vs
Everton
In a high-stakes battle at Portman Road, Premier League newcomers Ipswich Town, desperate to end their winless run, face an Everton side struggling to shake off their away day woes as both teams hover precariously above the relegation zone.
Ipswich Town
Premier League newcomers Ipswich Town are set to return to domestic action with a home fixture against Everton, following a 4-1 loss to West Ham just before the international break. That defeat brought an end to a peculiar sequence of four successive draws [DDDDL].
The Tractor Boys find themselves in 17th position, teetering just above the relegation zone with a mere point separating them from danger. Their upcoming clash is against fellow strugglers Everton, who sit just a point ahead.
Alongside Wolves, Southampton, and Crystal Palace, Ipswich remains one of the four teams yet to secure a victory in the Premier League this season. Manager Kieran McKenna is eager to guide his side to their first triumph since returning to the top flight after a 22-year absence.
This clash marks the first encounter between Ipswich [0W, 4D, 3L] and Everton in any competition since the Tractor Boys secured a 2-1 victory at Goodison Park in February 2002. Encouragingly, Ipswich have managed to win three of their last four Premier League games against Everton [3W, 1D, 0L], which could fuel their confidence.
A 4—2—3—1 formation, featuring Liam Delap in attack, is anticipated for this fixture. However, Kieran McKenna might have to manage without up to three players, including Axel Tuanzebe and Massimo Luongo.
Everton
Everton have managed only a single win this season, a 2-1 victory against Crystal Palace, which was followed by a goalless draw against Newcastle United. The Toffees currently sit in 16th place with just five points, comprising one win, two draws, and four losses, as they head into Saturday's fixture.
Despite being on a three-game unbeaten run, Everton's recent performances on the road have been less than promising. Sean Dyche’s side is winless in their last 14 Premier League away games, with five draws and nine losses, and they will be eager to change this trend.
Historically, they have only twice experienced a longer winless streak away from home, with 16 games between February and December 2017 and 19 between December 1996 and December 1997. A 4-2-3-1 formation is expected for their upcoming match against Ipswich, featuring Dominic Calvert-Lewin in attack.
However, key players Vitaliy Mykolenko and Jarrad Branthwaite are both doubts for this match. Additionally, as many as five players are ruled out, including Armando Broja, posing a challenge for the team as they take to the field.
