Ipswich Town: Terry Hunt predicts next ten games

Our team has ten games between now and the big day, and it’s crucial we get some wins and a decent haul of points, especially as there are a number of matches against lower half teams.

So, will it be a merry Christmas or a nervy festive period for Tractor Boys and Girls?

I've been gazing into my crystal ball...

Sean Dyche and Everton are next up for Ipswich Town (Image: PA) Everton (H) - Saturday October 19th

After a wretched start to the campaign, Everton are showing worrying signs of improvement. Maybe they’ve been spurred on by news of their imminent purchase by the Friedman Group. Or perhaps someone reminded the players that there is a law of the land forbidding them to be relegated - hence their 70-year stay in the top flight. So, sadly, I don’t think their visit will see our first win.

North Stander prediction: Draw. One point.

Brentford (A) - Saturday October 26th

Brentford’s start has been exactly what you’d expect - three wins, three defeats, one win and a neutral goal difference. They look like the ultimate mid-table outfit - rather like their London rivals Fulham. Therefore I’m going for another stalemate.

North Stander prediction: Draw. One point.

Terry thinks Town's first win will come against Jamie Vardy and Leicester City (Image: Mike Egerton/PA Wire) Leicester (H) - Saturday November 2nd

At last - our first win after ten games! Leicester have started marginally better than us - and have a win under their belts. They’re dangerous, but look vulnerable at the back, so I’m looking forward to Town winning a goal-packed thriller. Oh, the relief at Portman Road!

North Stander prediction: Win. Three points.

Tottenham Hotspur (A) - Sunday November 10th

I love reminding Spurs fans that Ipswich have won the league title more recently than their team - by one year. But I fear that’s the only laugh I’ll have at their expense. They will be too strong for us.

North Stander prediction: Loss. No points.

Will Erik Ten Hag still be in charge when Manchester United visit Suffolk a month before Christmas? (Image: Martin Rickett/PA Wire) Manchester United (H) - Sunday November 24th

Man U love throwing away leads. Let’s hope we can capitalise on their fragile self-confidence and the never-ending speculation surrounding their manager. The Red Devils are very unpredictable, but I think we’ll grab a point.

North Stander prediction: Draw. One point.

Nottingham Forest (A) - Saturday November 30th

Having narrowly escaped relegation last season, Forest look more established this time around, only losing one of their first seven games. That extra Premier League experience will give them the edge, I’m afraid.

North Stander prediction: Loss. No points.

Ex-Town loanee Trevoh Chalobah will return to Portman Road with Crystal Palace (Image: PA) Crystal Palace (H) - Tuesday December 3rd

A Tuesday night at Portman Toad under lights is a rarity this season. We all know the big advantage the atmosphere gives us. I think it will be too much for Palace, who have started the season surprisingly poorly.

North Stander prediction: Win. Three points.

Bournemouth (H) - Saturday December 7th

What a week! Christmas looming, two home games, and six points. Boosted by our midweek win against Palace, we’ll go at Bournemouth from the start. It certainly won’t be easy, but I can see a very happy Saturday afternoon.

North Stander prediction: Win. Three points.

Wolves are struggling so far (Image: PA) Wolves (A) - Saturday December 14th

Like us, Wolves have had a tough start, and have really struggled. I think we can make life difficult for them on a cold December afternoon at Molineux, and come home with a much-needed point.

North Stander prediction: Draw. One point.

Newcastle (H) - Saturday December 21st

These two clubs are, of course, bonded by our love of Sir Bobby Robson. This season the Toon are looking typically free-flowing and entertaining. But I think Ipswich fans will get a point as an early Christmas present.

North Stander prediction: Draw. One point.

Terry thinks Kieran McKenna's men will take 14 points from their next ten games (Image: PA) So, that’s 14 points from the next ten games. Some might see that as overly optimistic, given our start to the season. But I believe that we will gain what you might call Premier League know-how pretty quickly.

Those results would give us a total of 18 points from the first 17 games, pretty much the first half of the campaign.

Over a full season, that points per game ratio would probably be enough to keep us up. But it will undoubtedly be close, and very nerve-racking!