Premier League | Gameweek 14

Dec 3, 2024 at 7.30pm UK

Portman Road Stadium

Ipswichvs.Crystal Palace

Match preview

The battle for attacking supremacy between Forest's Chris Wood and Ipswich's Liam Delap promised to be an intriguing one before Saturday's City Ground encounter. However, both sets of supporters may have felt disappointed after a disappointing goalless first half.

However, just four minutes into the second half, Sammie Szmodics fouled Jota Silva in the box, and Wood showed his appreciation for the traditional style of penalties with a powerful kick to the middle, ending a closely contested match. While Kieran McKenna's team played a strong game, they lacked that decisive touch in the final third.

Ipswich were knocked off their stride after a good run of form against Forest. They'd been unbeaten in three games against Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and Leicester City, but they've slipped back down to 19th place in the standings as a result.

McKenna's team are still searching for their first home win of the season in the Premier League. They're the only team in the English top flight yet to secure a victory on familiar territory, having played out four draws in their last five games there.

If Tuesday's hosts don't manage to keep a clean sheet in the midweek game, it'll be their 10th straight Premier League game without one. They haven't kept an opponent at bay since their goalless draw against Brighton & Hove Albion in September.

Two stories of defensive redemption were written on Saturday afternoon at Selhurst Park. Daniel Muñoz made a poor mistake in the Premier League, while Marc Guehi turned Anthony Gordon's cross into his own net.

However, with four of the five minutes of second-half stoppage time played, the same combination linked up for a goal that could have caused a bit of a stir, with Guehi's floated delivery to the back stick being perfectly placed for Munoz to head home at Nick Pope's near post.

The Colombian's aerial excellence not only salvaged a draw from the jaws of defeat, but also propelled Oliver Glasner's troops out of the relegation zone and into 17th place in the table, thanks to a superior goal difference over Ipswich and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Palace have only lost one of their last six games, and Glasner's men are looking to kickstart a winter revival. The Eagles have recently found their scoring form away from home, netting twice in each of their last three away matches across all competitions.

The visitors haven't had their first clean sheet on their rivals' turf yet this season, but they did win their last match against Ipswich. That was the 2017-18 EFL Cup second-round match, where James McArthur scored both of the Eagles' goals in a 2-1 win.

Recent Performance

Ipswich Town Premier League form:LLDWDL

Crystal Palace Premier League form:LWDLDD

Crystal Palace form (all competitions):WWDLDD

Team News

Ipswich had a rough day at the City Ground on Sunday. Defender Axel Tuanzebe left the game in the second half with a suspected hamstring injury, which will probably rule out the former Manchester United player for this match.

Tuanzebe is the latest addition to the Tractor Boys' treatment room, joining Janoi Donacien (ankle), George Hirst (knee) and Chiedozie Ogbene (Achilles). Kalvin Phillips and Ben Johnson remain doubtful due to their knocks.

Johnson would be a good replacement for Tuanzebe at the back, but Harry Clarke might have to step in for now. Some rotation up front should help Wes Burns and Jack Clarke get more attacking opportunities.

By contrast, Palace came through their draw with Newcastle without any new fitness concerns, although Eberechi Eze was only given 65 minutes following his recent return from a hamstring problem.

Daichi Kamada is back in action after serving the final game of his three-match suspension. Matheus Franca (groin), Chadi Riad (knee) and Adam Wharton (groin) are all out, but the latter two might be back in contention next month.

If Eze isn't ready for two back-to-back Premier League starts in a row, Eddie Nketiah or Justin Devenny could step in, and Cheick Doucouré, who's been injured a lot, might also get a rare start.

Possible starting lineup

Ipswich Town possible starting lineup:

Muric; H. Clarke, O'Shea, Burgess, Davis; Morsy, Cajuste; Burns, Hutchinson, J. Clarke; Delap

Crystal Palace possible starting lineup:

Henderson; Lacroix, Chalobah, Guehi; Munoz, Doucoure, Lerma, Mitchell; Eze; Nketiah, Mateta