Ipswich vs Southampton predictions: Card magnet Downes to fall foul of the official
Southampton finished bottom of the Premier League last season, collecting just 12 points
Ipswich ended up 19th in the top flight as they were also relegated
Recommended bet: Flynn Downes to be booked
Two of the favourites to earn promotion to the Premier League clash at Portman Road on Sunday, when Ipswich host a Southampton side putting their 100% record on the line.
With the pair both suffering relegation from the top-flight last season, the Tractor Boys finishing 19th and the Saints 20th, the pressure is on to secure an instant return to the promised land.
The latest Ipswich vs Southampton odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Team news
Omari Hutchinson is on the verge of completing his move from Ipswich to Nottingham Forest and he will become the latest player to have left Portman Road this summer.
Nathan Broadhead has joined Wrexham permanently and Arijanet Muric has recently completed a season-long loan move to Sassuolo.
Jaden Philogene is a big doubt to feature in this clash and Conor Townsend has suffered a cruciate ligament tear that will likely see him miss the entire campaign.
Saints are without Will Smallbone and James Bree, but Welington and Joshua Quarshie were left out of the midweek cup win and should be brought back into the fold.
Charlie Taylor and Taylor Harwood-Bellis both got some minutes against Northampton and are pushing to be involved again, while Tyler Dibling has returned to training amid transfer interest and a late decision will be made on him.
The stats
Ipswich drew their Championship opener 1-1 against Birmingham before then being knocked out of the EFL Cup on penalties by Bromley
Southampton scored two late goals to complete a 2-1 comeback victory against Wrexham on the opening weekend.
The Saints edged past Northampton 1-0 in midweek in the EFL Cup, extending new manager Will Still's perfect record.
Ipswich drew 1-1 at St Mary's in September last year before the Tractor Boys then triumphed 2-1 at Portman Road in February's meeting.
Flynn Downes, who was cautioned 13 times last term, has been booked in both matches this season.
The latest Ipswich vs Southampton odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Predictions
It has been a slow start to the campaign for Ipswich, who drew their opening game before then being dumped out of the EFL Cup, but they will be hoping to raise their game for the visit of Southampton.
While winning their first two matches of the campaign, the Saints have not been foot-perfect and they were somewhat fortunate to beat Wrexham 2-1 on the opening weekend.
Neither side will want to give an inch in this contest and that could make for a fiery affair, with the referee likely to be kept busy at Portman Road.
One player who could be in trouble is Saints midfielder Flynn Downes, who was booked against Wrexham and then again in the EFL Cup win over Northampton.
Having committed five fouls across those two outings, the 26-year-old seems unable to stay out of the officials gaze and he could have his name taken again, just as he did when these two met at St Mary's in September 2024.
