Manchester City will endeavour to make it two wins from two in the Premier League when they entertain Ipswich Town at the Etihad on Saturday afternoon.
Pep Guardiola's side got their title defence up and running with a fully-merited 2-0 win over Chelsea last Sunday, in a game that brought up one of my player-based bets.
That Stamford Bridge success came fresh off the back of the Citizens lifting the Community Shield a week earlier, edging out fierce rivals Man United via a penalty shootout win at Wembley.
This weekend City will run out in front of their own supporters for the first time this season when they take on Ipswich Town.
Following a 22 year exile from the Premier League, the Tractor Boys marked their return to the big time with a spirited 2-0 defeat at home to Liverpool, bringing up one of my Portman Road punts in the process.
Things don’t get any easier for Kieran McKenna’s men this weekend as they get set to rub shoulders with Pep Guardiola's star-studded side at their Etihad fortress.
How the bookies view it: Man City massive favourites
As expected, Man City are overwhelming 1/11 favourites on Bet 365 to bank maximum points form their first Premier League home match of the season.
Ipswich Town are a towering 18/1 (Bet 365) to triumph at the Etihad, while the draw is also considered improbable at 11/1 (Bet 365).
Head to head: Over two decades since last tussle
Saturday’s clash will represent the first meeting between the pair since an FA Cup tie way back in January 2022, a game in which Man City ran out 4-1 winners.
Ipswich triumphed in both Premier League meetings during season 2000-01 and boast the stronger overall head-to-head record, having won 28 of the 66 meetings between the duo, while City have taken top honours on 23 occasions.
Players to watch: Haaland to make more hay?
Erling Haaland opened up his Premier League account at the first time of asking against Chelsea last weekend. Unsurprisingly, the Man City goal machine is as short as 1/2 (Bet 365) to strike on Saturday. However, bundling up Haaland to score alongside a Man City goal in each half will bring about an appetising 4/5 Bet Builder on Bet 365.
Former Man City man Liam Delap could lead the line for Ipswich at the Etihad and he is lofty 6/1 (Bet 365) to land a blow with an anytime strike against his former employers.
Predicted line-ups
Man City’s Savinho’s debut was cut short at Stamford Bridge last week due a knee injury so the Brazilian winger looks set to miss out on matchday two.
Ipswich will be without midfielder Kalvin Phillips who is ineligible to face his parent club, however new signing Sammie Szmodics could be handed his debut on Saturday.
Man City: Ederson; Lewis; Dias, Aké, Gvardiol; Silva, Kovacic, De Bruyne; Foden, Haaland, Doku
Ipswich: Walton; Tuanzebe; Woolfenden, Greaves, Davis; Morsy, Luongo; Harness, Szmodics, Hutchinson; Delap
Anything else catch the eye?
Ipswich Town right back Axel Tuanzebe stands out to commit just one foul on Saturday at 10/11 with William Hill.
The former Manchester United man will likely be pitting his wits against Man City livewire Jeremy Doku.
The Belgian ace was fouled on no fewer than four separate occasions against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last Sunday, making the aforementioned Tuanzebe an eye-catching option to tackle his way into trouble just once this weekend at a shade below even-money.
This English Premier League match between Manchester City and Ipswich Town will be played on Aug 24, 2024 and kick off at 15:00. Check below for our tipsters best Manchester City vs Ipswich Town prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
