Ipswich Town Match Preview
West Ham United only won six Premier League games on the road last season and they can match that record this afternoon, as their 2024/25 campaign draws to a close with a trip to Portman Road to face already-relegated Ipswich Town.
Also just as last season, they could complete their second double this term a matter of weeks after achieving their first by beating Manchester United 2-0 at Old Trafford.
Although the East Londoners have beaten all of the current bottom three teams this season, they also dropped points against both Leicester City and Southampton. They will not want to do the same against Kieran McKenna’s men.
It is well known amongst their fan base that the Irons don’t have the best of records when it comes to a final day fixture either, as they have not won since 2021 when they scored a 3-0 home victory over Southampton.
With the Tractor Boys not having recorded a win since confirmation that they would be making an immediate return to the Sky Bet Championship back on April 26, here’s hoping that the visitors can make it back-to-back wins on their travels and give their fans who are making the journey something to cheer as they head into the summer.
Both sides have had a full week to prepare and go into the game off the back of defeats. McKenna’s side lost to fellow relegated club Leicester City, whilst the Irons were again undone at home, this time by Nottingham Forest.
Graham Potter celebrated his 50th birthday five days ago and given that the hosts are yet to win a home game in 2025, he should be in for a late present from his players.
Earlier this month, it was announced by the club that goalkeeper Łukasz Fabiański, defenders Vladimír Coufal and Aaron Cresswell, as well as striker Danny Ings will be released when their current contracts expire on 30 June. Potter will also be looking for a new addition to his backroom staff this summer, as it was confirmed on Friday that Goalkeeping Coach Xavi Valero will also be vacating his position after being in East London since the summer of 2018.
Former Head-Coach Julen Lopetegui led West Ham to their first home win of the season against today’s opponents back on October 5 and Potter will want to make up for a disappointing last home fixture a week ago when they lost 2-1 to the Tricky Trees.
Cresswell and Coufal are in line to retain their places in defence, as is goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, despite the Frenchman making a costly error that led to Nuno Espírito Santo’s side scoring the opening goal last weekend. Guido Rodríguez could make way for Emerson Palmieri, while Niclas Füllkrug, Lucas Paquetá and Edson Álvarez could also come into the starting line-up.
Cresswell isn’t the only one hoping to play against his old club, as former Hammer Ben Johnson is set to be in the hosts’ defence.
All today’s matches kick-off at 4pm and the referee for the encounter in Suffolk is Tim Robinson.