Ipswich vs Fulham Prediction & Betting Tips (31 August)

Absent from the elite since 2002, Ipswich has gained momentum recently and has just achieved 2 advancements in 2 years. Indeed, the club finished 2nd in League One in 2023 and also took 2nd place in the Championship last year. With 1 point behind Leicester, Kieran McKenna's men did not come far from the title last year. However, they did not need to go through the accession barriers to secure their ticket for the Premier League. The promoted team expects to suffer this season and the first two days confirmed this feeling. Opposed to big names, Ipswich lost against Liverpool 0-2 and in the den of Manchester City last weekend 4-1.

Accustomed to making the elevator between the Championship and the Premier League between 2017 and 2022, Fulham managed to establish themselves in the elite during the previous two years. The London team did not tremble to maintain their position each time and notably finished in 13th place in the ranking last year, 21 points ahead of the red zone. The Cottagers hope to continue their progress this season and, why not, move closer to the top half of the table. Narrowly beaten on the Manchester United pitch during the first day 1-0, they then took the upper hand, at home, over the promoted Leicester last weekend 2-1. 

This weekend, missing for Ipswich are the important attacking element Broadhead (13 goals in the Championship last year), potential starters Clarke, Burns (midfielders) and Hirst (7 goals and 6 assists in the Championship last year) and the long-term absentee Donacien (defender). In addition, rookie Phillips has yet to withdraw. Young striker Liam Delap (21 years old, 8 Championship goals last year) is the preferred option to start up front until now. Midfielder Szmodics (27 Championship goals last year) found the net against Manchester City. No major player left the club this summer. On the other hand, significant reinforcements have arrived for this season in the Premier League. We are thinking of goalkeeper Muric (Burnley), defenders Greaves (Hull), O'Shea (Burnley) and Johnson (West Ham), midfielders Phillips (Man City), Cajuste (Naples) and Szmodics (Blackburn) as well as midfielders attackers Hutchinson (Chelsea), Delap (Man City) and Clarke (Sunderland).

During the offseason, Fulham let midfielder Joao Palhinha (Bayern Munich) and defender Adarabioyo (Chelsea) leave. This is also the case for the experienced Ream (Charlotte), De Cordova-Reid (Leicester) and Willian (without a club). On the other hand, the leaders have set their sights on defenders Andersen (Crystal Palace), Cuenca (Villarreal) and Sessegnon (Tottenham) as well as midfielders Smith Rowe (Arsenal) and Berge (Burnley). Star recruit Smith Rowe opened his account with the Cottagers last weekend. Winger Iwobi also scored while striker Muniz (9 goals in the PL last year) remained silent during the first two days. In the midfield, takes place the Brazilian international Andreas Pereira (8 assists in PL last year).