CHAMPIONS Manchester City host newly-promoted Ipswich Town in the Premier League at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
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In August 2021, Ipswich Town began their League One campaign with two defeats, three draws and a 5-2 thrashing against Bolton Wanderers at Portman Road.
They finished 11th that season, but three years on and after back-to-back promotions, Kieran McKenna’s side are in the big time.
And it doesn’t get much bigger than a trip to the Etihad to take on Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, who are seeking to claim an historic fifth successive English title.
The Tractor Boys have already had something of a “baptism of fire” after hosting Liverpool last weekend.
Many had expected Ipswich to be thrashed but they showed that they are more than capable of competing at this level – limiting Liverpool to two goals and ZERO shots on target in the opening 45 minutes.
Very little is expected this weekend, and that shows in the odds with Ipswich a colossal 25/1 to cause an upset.
And that’s not too surprising given how Manchester City claimed a solid 2-0 win over Chelsea in their opener – without the likes of John Stones, Kyle Walker, Jack Grealish and Rodri.
The Cityzens are also enjoying a run of 30 home league matches without defeat (W24, D6) but have conceded once in five of their last six home league fixtures.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has virtually a full compliment to choose from following their opening day victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
The Spanish tactician opted to start the likes of Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, John Stones and Kyle Walker on the bench with playmaker Foden the only substitute to make an appearance.
That quartet could all start this weekend, although the fitness of midfield anchor Rodri remains in doubt following his withdrawal against England in last month’s Euro 2024 final. Oscar Bobb will remain on the sidelines after fracturing a bone in his leg during training.
Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna could hand starts to summer arrivals Jens Cajuste, Armando Broja and Sammie Szmodics with the latter getting around 15 minutes in the defeat to Liverpool. The Suffolk side will be without Kalvin Phillips, who is ineligible to face his parent club, while Arijanet Muric and Liam Delap could face their former side.
Odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
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Ipswich Town did indeed to very well to limit Liverpool to two goals on the opening weekend, but their 2.65xGC (Expected Goals Conceded) was the highest of any side in the Premier League.
Kieran McKenna’s side shipped a total of 18 shots at their goal, with five of those on target. Meanwhile City unleashed 11 efforts in their opener, averaging an opportunity every 8.7 – and that was away to Chelsea with a number of their first-team superstars missing.
The Cityzens are simply a juggernaut on home turn, and ended last season with 14 wins from 19 league outings (W14, D5, L0) scoring a colossal 51 goals – more than any of their rivals.
Each of Liverpool’s efforts against Ipswich Town arrived from central areas – almost all within the width of the six-yard box.
Seven of their 18 attempts were from outside the box and I suspect it will be a similar story this weekend – only Manchester City will have Kevin De Bruyne to have a crack from distance.
The Belgian international, 33, fired off two shots against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and both were from outside the area. Over 59% of his goal attempts last season were from outside the box, and we’re backing him to produce a scorcher this weekend.
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