Ipswich Town will look to extend their unbeaten run in the Premier League to four matches when they play host to Aston Villa at Portman Road on Sunday afternoon.
The fixture computer was cruel to the Tractor Boys upon their return to the top-flight, as they kicked off with games against heavyweights Liverpool and Man City, coming away empty-handed from both of those respective encounters as expected.
However, Kieran McKenna’s men have since steadied the ship with a trio of stalemates, the latest of which came against Southampton, on an afternoon where I delivered a St Mary’s clean sweep.
Back on home turf after a pair of road trips, Ipswich will look to land their first win of the season against in-form Aston Villa.
Unai Emery's side are surveying the standings from the lofty heights of third place following four wins from their opening five league games of the season, most recently coming from behind to beat Wolves 3-1 last weekend.
The Villans have since earned a 2-0 win over Wycombe in the EFL Cup in midweek, with Jhon Duran justifying my faith in him to get to the scoresheet.
How the bookies view it: Villa to rule at Portman Road
Aston Villa are 19/20 favourites on Betfred to maintain their 100% record away from home in the Premier League this season. Alternatively, Emery’s side are 5/6 (BetVictor) to score two or more goals on Sunday – something that they have managed in six of their seven outings across all competitions this season.
A fourth straight draw involving Ipswich Town is trading at 27/10 (Betano) while a maiden top-flight win of the campaign for the Tractor Boys can be backed at 14/5 (Betano).
Head to head: Tractor Boys tend to toil
The two teams came up against each other on six occasions during Aston Villa’s three year stint in the English Championship from 2016 to 2019, with Villa emerging victorious on three occasions, drawing twice and losing just once.
You have to go all the way back to March 2002 for the last Premier League meeting between the pair, which ended goalless – a repeat on Sunday is on offer at 13/1 (UniBet).
Players to watch: Super sub Duran to deliver again?
All four of Jhon Duran’s Premier League goals this season have been scored as a substitute, so the Colombian merits consideration in the last goalscorer market at 13/2 on Bet 365. This play would have proven profitable in five of Duran’s overall seven appearances this term, so a repeat here looks like a lively long shot to cheer on at a big price.
Ipswich midfielder Sam Morsy has been carded in three of his five Premier League appearances this season, and he is therefore amongst the favourites for a caution here at 23/10 on Ladbrokes.
Predicted line-ups
Kalvin Phillips missed Ipswich’s 1-1 draw with Southampton due to a thigh injury and the on-loan Manchester City midfielder could miss out again this weekend.
Aston Villa will be without captain John McGinn who suffered a hamstring injury in last weekend’s 3-1 win over Wolves.
Ipswich: Muric; Tuanzebe, O'Shea, Greaves, Davis; Morsy, Cajuste; Ogbene, Hutchinson, Szmodics; Delap
Aston Villa: Martínez; Bogarde, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Onana, Tielemans; Bailey, Rogers, Ramsey; Watkins
Anything else catch the eye?
Youri Tielemans has been pretty prolific on the fouls front for Aston Villa this season and I’m happy to propose a play on him to commit two or more here at 11/8 on Bet 365.
The Belgian midfielder has committed multiple misdemeanours in three of his five Premier League outings this term, including three of his last four.
Tielemans also tackled his way into trouble twice during Villa’s 3-0 win away at Young Boys in the Champions League last midweek, so a repeat here at 11/8 (Bet 365) represents a nice slice of value.
This English Premier League match between Ipswich Town and Aston Villa will be played on Sep 29, 2024 and kick off at 14:00. Check below for our tipsters best Ipswich Town vs Aston Villa prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
