BIG MATCH PREVIEW: Brighton & Hove Albion vs Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town returns to Premier League action with a challenging away game against Brighton & Hove Albion. Stuart Watson previews the match.
After an international break, Ipswich Town is back in action with a tough test at Brighton & Hove Albion. The Blues have had 10 players away on international duty, and manager Kieran McKenna has had limited time to work with his full squad.
Brighton, on the other hand, has started the season strongly, taking seven points from their first three games. They have finished ninth, sixth, and 11th in the last three seasons and are looking to break into the top eight.
Ipswich will face a stern test, but they can draw inspiration from Brighton’s evolution as a club. The Seagulls have survived and thrived in the Premier League, and McKenna’s side will look to do the same.
There are questions about team selection, with Dara O’Shea potentially making his league debut and Jack Clarke pushing for a start. The Blues will need to be solid defensively and quick on the counter-attack to get a result.
The last meeting between the two sides ended in a 1-1 draw in the Championship in 2017. Ipswich’s record at The Amex Stadium is W2 D2 L2.
Manager Kieran McKenna has a tough decision to make in goal, with Aro Muric returning from international duty and Christian Walton signing a new contract. However, it’s unlikely that there will be a change in goal.
McKenna has also stated his support for Muric, despite the goalkeeper being sent home early from international duty. This suggests that Muric will keep his place in the starting lineup.
The Blues will need to be wary of Brighton’s attacking threat, with the Seagulls boasting a strong squad and a talented manager in Fabian Hurzeler. Ipswich will need to be solid defensively and take their chances when they come.
A win for Ipswich would be a huge boost, but a draw would also be a positive result. The Blues will need to be focused and disciplined to get a result against a strong Brighton side.
The match kicks off at 3 pm, and Ipswich fans will be hoping for a positive result to continue their encouraging start to the season.