Arsenal face a challenging period without their star man Bukayo Saka, whose absence is a significant blow. However, the team is determined to meet their high expectations this season, and matches like the upcoming one against Ipswich Town are critical if they aim to contend seriously for the title.
Despite Saka’s injury, Arsenal demonstrated their depth and quality when they overcame Crystal Palace with a resounding 5-1 victory at Selhurst Park, even after Saka had to leave the pitch early. This performance underlines the squad’s ability to secure wins even without their key England international.
Mikel Arteta’s side remains formidable at the Emirates Stadium, particularly in defence, which will likely play a crucial role in this encounter. While Ipswich Town have shown their prowess on the road with two wins in their last three away Premier League games, including a notable victory over Tottenham Hotspur in North London, Arsenal will still be favourites. Ipswich have been reliant on their away form for scoring, netting nearly two-thirds of their goals and securing most of their points away from Portman Road.
Ipswich, under Kieran McKenna, are known for their aggressive attacking play, but Arsenal’s robust defence should be up to the task. Ipswich have struggled to score in two of their eight away games, and Arsenal are expected to keep them at bay and aim for a clean sheet as they close out their last match of 2024 with a hopeful victory.
Match Info
- Friday 27th December 2024 15:15 EST / 20:15 GMT
- Premier League Matchday 18 of 38
- Emirates Stadium, London
Arsenal
Arsenal recently revived their winning momentum in the Premier League, buoyed by Gabriel Jesus finding the back of the net again. However, the victory at Selhurst Park was marred by Bukayo Saka’s early exit due to a hamstring injury, with Mikel Arteta revealing the winger might face a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
As the Premier League calendar won’t pause for injuries or suspensions, Arsenal must swiftly adapt to compensate for Saka’s absence if they hope to clinch major honours come May. Currently sitting third, six points adrift of leaders Liverpool, Arsenal’s next couple of fixtures are crucial, especially since they play after Liverpool in both rounds.
Despite an unbeaten streak across ten matches in all competitions, Arsenal have felt frustration with three draws, all within the league, slightly derailing their campaign. With a home record of five wins, three draws, and no losses at the Emirates Stadium in the league this season, there’s a sense of slight underachievement. Arsenal aim to correct this dip following a draw in their last league outing at home against Everton.
The squad could see Oleksandr Zinchenko return to action, providing a boost, although both Saka and Raheem Sterling are anticipated to be absent due to injuries, posing a challenge as the team looks to close the gap with the front-runners.
Ipswich Town
Kieran McKenna’s vision for Ipswich Town’s style of play has faced challenges, notably in their recent defensive mishaps that gifted Newcastle United easy goals last Saturday. Despite the setback, Ipswich Town remains focused solely on their upcoming journey to London this Friday, aiming to replicate their prior away success in North London.
Currently 19th in the Premier League standings following a heavy defeat to Newcastle and a Wolves victory, Ipswich finds themselves two points shy of safety—a gap that may widen by kickoff. With an away record of two wins, two draws, and four losses, Ipswich has garnered 66% of their points from matches on the road, indicating a stark contrast between their struggles at home and their form away.
This month, Ipswich celebrated a win at Wolves, yet they’ve suffered defeats in four of their last five Premier League encounters. As they prepare for the capital, Ipswich will need to harness their stronger away performance ethos to steer clear of relegation troubles.
The squad will see changes in its lineup, with Sam Morsy out due to suspension, coinciding with Liam Delap’s return from his own suspension, potentially providing a timely boost.
America Bet Match Winner Prediction
Arsenal to win.
Based on the descriptions of both teams’ current form and circumstances, Arsenal seems to be the more likely winner in their upcoming match against Ipswich Town. Arsenal has shown resilience despite injuries to key players and maintains a strong defensive record at home. Although Ipswich Town has performed better on the road than at home, their recent overall form—losing four of their last five Premier League games—suggests they might struggle against a side like Arsenal, which has been unbeaten in their last 10 games across all competitions.
Considering these factors, my prediction would be for an Arsenal victory in this encounter.
America Bet Match Scoreline Prediction
Arsenal 3 – 0 Ipswich Town
Given Arsenal’s strong defensive performance at home and Ipswich Town’s difficulties in maintaining consistent form, a reasonable prediction for the scoreline could be a 3-0 victory for Arsenal. This reflects Arsenal’s ability to exploit Ipswich’s defensive vulnerabilities while maintaining their own defensive solidity.
America Bet Betting Tips
- Arsenal to win
- Over 2.5 goals in the match
- Arsenal to win to nil
- Gabriel Jesus to score first
- Oleksandr Zinchenko to score anytime
- Arsenal to win 3-0
- Arsenal to have over 60% possession
