Ipswich vs Arsenal predictions: Arteta’s boys to grind out away win
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- Ipswich have lost six in a row at Portman Road
- Seven of Arsenal’s last eight league games have seen under 2.5 goals
- Recommended bet: Under 2.5 Goals
After a thrilling victory over Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday, Arsenal now get back to Premier League matters with a trip to Portman Road to face Ipswich on Sunday.
The hosts look doomed to the drop, with Kieran McKenna’s men now 14 points adrift of safety with just six games remaining.
With Arsenal expected to make several changes, with one eye on their Champions League semi-final with PSG, it could be a game the Gunners will need to win ugly.
Team news
Ipswich are still without long-term injury absentees Chiedozie Ogbene and Wes Burns, as they continue their rehabilitation.
Liam Delap started on the bench in the 2-2 draw at Chelsea but the striker, who has been linked with a summer move to the Emirates, is being tipped to return to the starting XI.
Arsenal are still missing key quartet Kai Havertz, Gabriel Magalhaes, Gabriel Jesus and Takehiro Tomiyasu, who will be sidelined for the remainder of the campaign.
Riccardo Calafiori has missed the last five matches with a knee injury, which he picked up on international duty, and looks unlikely to feature on Sunday.
Jorginho and Thomas Partey both missed the win over Real Madrid, due to injury and suspension, but both could feature at Portman Road.
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The stats
Ipswich have won just one of their 16 Premier League games at Portman Road this season.
It’s 11 games unbeaten on the road in all competitions for Arsenal.
The Tractorboys have not won any of their last 11 Premier League meetings with the Gunners — two draws and nine defeats.
Mikel Arteta’s men have won each of their last 10 league games against teams starting the day in the relegation zone.
Prediction
Having been hit hard by injuries this season, Arsenal look set to rotate their squad over the next few weeks as they aim to be crowned champions of Europe for the first time.
Although the Premier League title looks to be out of their grasp, the Gunners will be desperate not to lose second spot and make sure of Champions League qualification for next season.
Arteta’s men are now just four points ahead of third-placed Newcastle, while Nottingham Forest are six points behind the north London giants in fourth.
Being chased over the remaining games should keep Arsenal focussed, while several squad players will see league matches as a chance to impress ahead of the PSG semi-final.
The battle to survive in the top-flight is almost over for Ipswich, with their home form having a major impact on their current league position.
A total of seven points from a possible 48 on home soil has left them sat in 18th, while 14 points have been picked up on the road.
Ipswich only lost 1-0 at the Emirates in the reverse fixture in December and it would not be a surprise to see a similar scoreline this time around.
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