Newcastle vs Ipswich predictions: Motivated Magpies should hit back
&w=707&quality=100)
- Newcastle sit fifth after five wins in six league games
- Ipswich are all but relegated with five games remaining
- Recommended bet: Over 2.5 Newcastle goals
Newcastle’s quest to finish in the Champions League places suffered a blow with last Saturday’s 4-1 hiding at Aston Villa, but the Magpies should respond by beating a Championship-bound Ipswich.
Eddie Howe’s side had won five on the spin prior to their uncharacteristically below-par display at Villa Park and they remain fifth, only two points behind third-placed Manchester City.
Newcastle, having won seven of their last nine at home, are expected to have too much quality for third-bottom Ipswich, who are destined for the drop as they find themselves 15 points adrift of safety.
The Tractor Boys were brushed aside 4-0 at home to Arsenal last weekend and that may spell trouble ahead of a trip to St James’ Park.
&w=707&quality=100)
Team news
Centre-back Fabian Schar limped off in the latest defeat to Aston Villa and is an injury doubt, which is a blow considering fellow defenders Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles are also sidelined.
Jamal Lewis and Lewis Hall are also missing for the Magpies.
For Ipswich, Jaden Philogene, Arijanet Muric, Wes Burns, Chiedozie Ogbene, Sammie Szmodics, Omari Hutchinson, Kalvin Phillips and Nathan Broadhead are all out injured while Conor Townsend is a doubt and Leif Davis is suspended.
The stats
Newcastle have won seven of their last nine home league games, reeling off four straight victories.
The Magpies have scored three or more goals in seven of their last ten home league matches.
Ipswich have won only one of their last 14 league matches.
The Tractor Boys have conceded two or more goals in six of their last eight league matches.
Both teams have scored in nine of Ipswich’s last 11 league fixtures.
Twelve of Newcastle’s last 14 league matches have gone over 2.5 goals.
Prediction
With a place in the Champions League the prize, Newcastle should be fully motivated to finish the season strongly and a response is required after their 4-1 hiding at Villa Park last weekend.
A top-five finish is still within reach for Howe’s men, who have won their last four league matches on home soil, and they could rack up the goals against a relegation-bound Ipswich.
The Tractor Boys have lost ten of their last 13 league matches and have conceded at least twice in six of their last eight matches, with last weekend’s 4-0 defeat at home to Arsenal highlighting their struggles.
The Championship awaits Kieran McKenna’s side and they should be extremely fearful of Newcastle, who have put five past Crystal Palace and four past Nottingham Forest and Manchester United within their last four home assignments.
Win up to £250,000 with LiveScore 6!
Win up to £250,000 with our free-to-play game, LiveScore 6!
