Ipswich Town will mark their return to the Premier League with a mouthwatering home match against Liverpool at Portman Road on Saturday lunchtime.
The Tractor Boys are plying their trade in the English top-flight for the first time since 2002 following their promotion from the English Championship last season.
After being promoted from League One just over a year ago, Kieran McKenna’s men have become just the fifth side to earn back-to-back promotions to the Premier League.
Merely staying up is generally considered a success for newly-promoted clubs but McKenna may feel his side have the tools and style to go further.
As for Liverpool, they have a new manager at the helm after Jurgen Klopp decided to call time on his nine year trophy-laden spell on Merseyside.
Former Feyenoord boss Arne Slot was chosen to usher in the new era at Anfield, and the Dutchman will be desperate to see his side hit the ground running in Suffolk on Saturday.
How the bookies view it: Reds to spoil the Portman Road party
While this is set to be a momentous occasion for everyone connected with Ipswich Town, a home win is trading at a towering 7/1 on Betfred while a point apiece at Portman Road is also deemed unlikely at 9/2 with the same bookmaker.
Liverpool are overwhelming 4/11 favourites on Bet 365 to make a winning start to life under new boss Arne Slot.
Head to head: Reds tend to reign supreme
The two teams will come up against each other in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon for the first time since locking horns all the way back in May 2002. Liverpool romped to a landslide 5-0 victory on that occasion, meaning they have come out on top in 37 of the overall 72 meetings between the duo, losing just 14 times in the process.
Players to watch: Luongo worth a look?
Ipswich’s Massimo Luongo will be patrolling the midfield battleground on Saturday and the tough-tackling Australian stands out to commit two or more fouls at 6/5 (Bet 365). Luongo was averaging in the region of 1.5 fouls per-game in the second tier last season and his defensive workload will naturally increase now that he is operating in the top-flight.
Diogo Jota was one of Liverpool's standout performers during pre-season. The Portuguese forward scored one and created two during his side’s recent 4-1 friendly win over Sevilla, making him an appealing option for a goal or an assist at 10/11 on Betfair.
Predicted line-ups
Kieran McKenna has been busy reshaping his squad over the summer and a number of his new signings could go straight in the starting line-up on Saturday afternoon.
Liverpool’s starting XI wil have a familiar look to it given that Arne Slot has yet to sign anyone since replacing Jurgen Klopp.
Ipswich: Muric; Johnson, Woolfenden, Greaves, Davis; Morsy, Luongo; Hutchinson, Chaplin, Harness; Delap.
Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Van Dijk, Robertson; Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Jota, Gakpo.
Anything else catch the eye?
With a raucous atmosphere anticipated at Portman Road on Saturday afternoon, over three match cards merits consideration at 5/6 on Bet 365.
The two teams will both be going hell for leather as they look to get their respective league seasons off to a flyer and that should ensure referee Tim Robinson is kept relatively busy.
The West Sussex-born whistler was averaging 4.06 cards per-game across all competitions last season, making the 5/6 (Bet 365) for over three match cards an attractive betting proposition at Portman Road.
This English Premier League match between Ipswich Town and Liverpool will be played on Aug 17, 2024 and kick off at 12:30. Check below for our tipsters best Ipswich Town vs Liverpool prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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