Ipswich Town sit 18th in the Premier League table after 10 games. Stuart Watson makes some predictions for the next five matches....
LAST PREDICTIONS RECAP
In my last set of predictions, I had Ipswich down for five points from their five games against Aston Villa (L), West Ham (L), Everton (D), Brentford (D) and Leicester (W).
Were it not for last-gasp goals and VAR controversy, the Blues would have got those last two results and I’d have been bang on. As it was, they ended up with just two points from the block of fixtures – the home draws against Villa and Leicester sandwiching three straight defeats.
Time to get the crystal ball out again...
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
When: Sunday (2pm)
Where: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Town did the double over Spurs the last time they were in the Premier League (2001/02). Kieran McKenna’s men are ranked as 10/1 outsiders to end a 10-game winless start to the campaign this weekend though.
By my reckoning, Ange Postecoglu’s squad cost close to £550m in combined transfer fees. In Son Heung-min (123 goals and 65 assists in the Premier League) they have a genuine world superstar. This is a club that has finished in the top half for 16 straight seasons.
Reasons to be fearful: Tottenham have won seven of eight games at their impressive 62,850 home so far this season, scoring 22 and conceding just four. They're the Premier League's top goalscorers.
Reasons for hope: First choice central defensive duo Micky van der Ven and Cristian Romero are both injured, there have been ‘Spursy’ losses to Brighton and Crystal Palace recently, while last night's Europa League game at Galatasaray was far from ideal preparation.
Stu’s prediction: I'd have fancied Town to get something if this was at Portman Road. On home soil, I think Spurs’ class will ultimately show. 3-1 Tottenham.
MANCHESTER UNITED
When: Sunday, November 23 (4.30pm)
Where: Portman Road
Loads of narrative in the dugouts.
Kieran McKenna grew up a Man United fan, was assistant boss there and, if reports were correct, was seriously being considered for the main job back in the summer.
Erik ten Hag clung on to his job after winning the FA Cup, but was recently sacked after a 2-1 defeat at West Ham left the team 15th in the table. Ruud van Nistelrooy is currently in caretaker charge, with the post international break trip to Portman Road penned in for Ruben Amorim’s first match at the helm.
Can the Portuguese, who has had remarkable success at Sporting Lisbon, get an instant tune out of Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho and co?
Town could have Jacob Greaves, Axel Tuanzebe and Jack Taylor available again by the time this one comes around. And they’ll take confidence from the fact United have failed to win in six of their seven away games away from Old Trafford so far this season (W1 D4 L2).
Stu’s prediction: This will be the first game at Portman Road since Leicester and the crowd will be up for it. I honestly think Town can get something – I’ll go 1-1.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST
When: Saturday, November 30 (3pm)
Where: The City Ground
Having been in a relegation scrap for much of the last two seasons, Forest have been a surprise success story at the start of this campaign.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side currently sit third in the table. They’ve only conceded seven goals in 10 games, while striker Chris Wood has already bagged eight times. Winning 1-0 at Liverpool was a major scalp. The likes of Nikola Milenkovic, Elliot Anderson and Callum Hudson-Odoi are earning major plaudits.
Some cause for Town optimism is that the East Midlands side have dropped points at home to Bournemouth, Wolves and Fulham this season.
Stu’s prediction: On current form, I’ll have to go with a narrow Forest win – 1-0.
CRYSTAL PALACE
When: Tuesday, December 3 (7.30pm)
Where: Portman Road
Palace ended last season on fire under new boss Oliver Glasner, winning six of their last seven to secure a top-half finish. Michael Olise was subsequently sold to Bayern Munich for £50m, but the sought-after England duo of Marc Guehi and Eberechi Eze stayed on at Selhurst Park.
It therefore came as a surprise to see the Eagles start this campaign without a league win in eight. A 1-0 home victory against Tottenham ended that streak and was followed up by a 1-1 draw at Wolves last time out.
Four of their five defeats have come by just a single goal. The South London club are yet to concede more than two in a game and are into the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup.
Key duo Eze and Adam Wharton are currently sidelined. It remains to be seen if they will return in time for the trip to Suffolk.
Stu’s prediction: This will be the first midweek game at Portman Road in close to nine months. There’s always something special about nights under the lights. I’ve got a sneaky feeling this could be when the first victory comes – 2-1 to the Blues.
AFC BOURNEMOUTH
When: Sunday, December 8 (2pm)
Where: Portman Road
The Cherries are looking to progress again following Premier League finishes of 15th and 12th. Adoni Iraola has certainly got his easy-on-the-eye side creating plenty of chances.
There have been huge wins against both Arsenal and Man City at the Vitality Stadium, but also defeats at Leicester and West Ham.
Stu’s prediction: A similar sort of challenge to the home game against Fulham. Could end the same way – 1-1.
OVERALL VERDICT
Once again, I’ve gone for five from five. A point a game is what Town have got to be aiming for. The first win has got to come in this next block... doesn't it?
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