Both Southampton and Ipswich will be targeting what would be their maiden Premier League win of the season when the pair meet at St Mary’s on Saturday afternoon.
The Saints have endured a baptism of fire upon their return to the top-flight, losing each of their opening four assignments of the season so far.
Last time out, Russell Martin’s men missed a penalty before slumping to a 3-0 defeat at home to Manchester United, on an afternoon where our man Andy's faith in the Red Devils was justified.
Southampton did squeak past Everton via a penalty shootout win in the EFL Cup in midweek so they will be hoping that can act as a springboard for further success when they face fellow newly-promoted side Ipswich.
The Tractor Boys could hardly have asked for a tougher start to their season, kicking off against Liverpool and then Man City, two games in which they came away empty-handed from.
However, Kieran McKenna’s men have since pocketed a couple of hard-fought Premier League points against both Fulham and Brighton respectively.
How the bookies view it: Saints to march to win
Despite losing each of their opening four Premier League games of the season, Southampton are 6/5 favourites on Betano.
A third successive stalemate involving Ipswich has been priced up at 5/2 (Betano) while a Tractor Boys triumph is trading at 2/1 (Betano).
An alternative 5/6 (Bet 365) option via the Bet Builder market that merits consideration is Ipswich double chance and over two match cards – a combination that has clicked in each of the visitors’ last two league games.
Head to head: Tractor Boys targeting three on the trot
Ipswich claimed top honours from each of their two encounters with Southampton in the second tier last term.
Saturday’s clash will be the first time that the pair have come up against each other in the Premier League since March 2002.
Players to watch: Szmodics to sink Saints?
Sammie Szmodics struck on his debut for Ipswich away at Man City last month and he is 29/20 (Betano) to make the net bulge at St Mary’s this weekend.
After missing a penalty against Man United last time out, Cameron Archer is 9/5 (Betano) to make amends by scoring his first goal for Southampton on Saturday.
Predicted line-ups
Southampton will be without captain Jack Stephens who is suspended after receiving a straight red card against Manchester United last Saturday.
Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna could stick with the same starting XI that battled their way to a draw at Brighton last weekend.
Southampton: Ramsdale; Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Wood; Sugawara, Fernandes, Downes, Smallbone, Walker-Peters; Brereton Diaz, Archer
Ipswich: Muric; Tuanzebe, O’Shea, Greaves, Davis; Morsy, Phillips; Burns, Szmodics, Hutchinson; Delap
Anything else catch the eye?
Given that both sides will be desperate to claim their first three points of the season on Saturday, the 4/5 on BetVictor for this game to feature 26 or more fouls looks worthy of interest.
This bet would have proven profitable in each of Southampton’s opening two Premier League matches of the season.
The same selection would have also banked profit from three of the Tractors Boys’ four top-flight outings this term, further suggesting that there is plenty of scope for the 26+ foul line to be covered at St Mary’s on Saturday.
This English Premier League match between Southampton and Ipswich Town will be played on Sep 21, 2024 and kick off at 15:00. Check below for our tipsters best Southampton vs Ipswich Town prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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