Premier League

Ipswich vs Everton prediction

Ipswich Town go in search of their fisrt Premier League win since February 2002. Their opponents that weekend were Everton, whom they welcome to Portman Road on Saturday.

Kieran McKenna’s side can’t be faulted for their workrate since returning to the top flight, but the Tractor Boys are winless in their seven matches, drawing four. They were hammered 1-4 at West Ham United before the international break, who themselves have had a slow start to the season.

Everton have started to turn their fortunes around after losing their first four games of the new season, taking five points from their last three. Their sole win came over Crystal Palace before getting a respectable 0-0 draw at home to Newcastle United before the international break.

Sean Dyche’s side had blown 2-0 leads in back-to-back games to lose to Bournemouth and Aston Villa before they started picking up points. It’s fair to say they deserve more than the five they have on the books.

Despite the odds the bookmakers have given Everton, I see this as a great opportunity to get their first win on the road this season and extend their unbeaten run. They also have some favourable fixtures to move up the table immediately after their trip to East Anglia – Fulham (h), Southampton (a), West Ham United (a) and Brentford (h).

But three points are the most important thing for the Toffees to concentrate on this weekend. Ipswich have conceded at least two goals in three of their last six games whilst Everton have scored exactly two in three of their last five Premier League outings.

Ipswich could welcome back Nathan Broadhead, Jens-Lys Cajuste, Janoi Donacien, Axel Tuanzebe, Ali Al Hamadi and Massimo Luongo for this weekend’s game, whilst the visitors could welcome back Nathan Patterson, Vitalii Mykolenko, Jarrad Branthwaite and Seamus Coleman, all of whom would add strength and depth to their defence.

Everton have been performing well in their last three games, arguably five, whilst Ipswich haven’t quite shown the attacking prowess to survive in the Premier League. I think there’s great value in the visitors to show their experience and get all three points on Saturday.

Best bet: Everton to win  is 2/1 with Bet365