Ipswich Town are still targeting their first win of the 2025/26 season
of five games before the next international break in October. Alex Jones has a go at predicting the results…
Sheffield United have lost all five of their competitive games so far this season
Up next for Ipswich, a Friday-night clash under the Portman Road lights. When Sky Sports selected this match for live coverage, they must have thought that it would be between two of the pace-setters in the Championship. Instead, it’s 20th hosting 24th in a match between two of the division’s five winless sides after four games.
For all the criticism that Ipswich have faced for their start, Sheffield United are in a much worse state – approaching turmoil. Fans weren’t happy that the new owners removed Chris Wilder as manager, with replacement Ruben Selles doing little to endear himself to the Bramall Lane faithful.
The Blades have lost all five of their matches so far this season – four in the league and one in the Carabao Cup. Supporters are yet to be convinced by their summer transfer business, and defeat at Portman Road could see tensions boil over.
Ipswich will be better off for some time on the training pitch to gel, but they have been without key players during the international break. That makes it hard to predict which way this will go.
Prediction: I think we’ll see a better performance from Sheffield United, and while I’m adamant that Ipswich will look much sharper too, I’m not sure I can go all the way for a win.
The Blues should thrive against a Selles side who prefer to play football instead of being scrappy and physical, but they have some real individual quality in their squad that can cause damage. 1-1 draw.
Blackburn Rovers are still searching for their first home win of the campaign
Ipswich had to fight tooth and nail to take three points off Blackburn back in the 2023/24 run-in. They were a tough team to face then and I don’t think that’s changed.
Valerien Ismael likes a direct approach to football, although Rovers have technical quality in their squad. New captain Todd Cantwell is a real standout for me. That being said, they have also lost important players in Lewis Travis and Dominic Hyam, who gave them that extra grit and bite.
Blackburn’s start to the season has been pretty poor – their only win coming away at Hull City (0-3). That being said, they were incredibly unfortunate to lose at home to Birmingham City and crumbled after going down to 10 men against Norwich.
Prediction: One of those games where I worry about the clash of styles, like Preston, but I just don’t think Blackburn are anywhere near as good as their Lancashire rivals. This is where we’ll need to see a clear improvement from Ipswich, and I think we’ll get it. Town to win 2-0.
Portsmouth struggled on the road last season
The longer the winless run at Portman Road stretches on, the more the tension will build among supporters. If the Blues fail to beat Sheffield United, attentions will turn to Portsmouth, who have started the season in fine form.
John Mousinho’s side were able to avoid the drop last season and have continued to build. A strong summer has put them into a good position, and they now have a well-rounded squad with eyes on a top-half finish.
On the flip side, their away form last season was dire, taking just 14 points on the road – fewer than relegated sides Luton Town and Cardiff City. While Fratton Park was a fortress, it didn’t translate on the road.
Yes, they have already won at Oxford United and taken a point against West Brom at the Hawthorns so far this season, but I think this is a match that Ipswich can win.
Prediction: If the Blues can nullify Josh Murphy’s threat down Portsmouth’s left flank, I think they will suffocate the service to Colby Bishop and limit their attacking threat, especially with Conor Chaplin ineligible against his parent club. Ipswich to win 2-1.
Bristol City haven’t lost a league game at Ashton Gate since February 9th
I’ve gone with two wins on the bounce – what about three? Bristol City await in the first midweek league clash of the season, a long trip down to Ashton Gate. The two matches between these sides in 2023/24 were enthralling, and I think this could be a real thriller.
The Robins have valued continuity and consistency in their squad despite the managerial change that has seen Gerhard Struber appointed. The Austrian has adapted well to life back in the Championship, with his side sitting sixth after four games.
The front three of Scott Twine, Anis Mehmeti and Emil Riis is a lot of fun, and their 3-4-3- formation allows them to stay compact at the back. Their recent 4-2 win against Hull shows that they want to outscore opponents, however, and I can see this one being a bit of a crazy match.
Prediction: I think this one will have some great attacking play and some poor defending. End-to-end stuff, perhaps with a last-minute goal for Ipswich to snatch a point. 2-2 draw.
Norwich City are still finding their feet under Liam Manning
I have Ipswich unbeaten in their first four matches after the international break, but can they extend that to five? This is the one that fans will want to win the most – the East Anglian derby against Norwich.
Truthfully, I’m not too sure what Norwich are at this point. There have been real teething issues under new boss Liam Manning, but they have shown that they are capable of grinding out wins too, having done so at Portsmouth and Blackburn.
Looking into the form, the players and the data can be a waste of time when trying to predict the outcome of this game. It all goes out of the window. On paper, it’s a match that Ipswich shouldn’t have a problem winning, but football doesn’t work like that. Norwich have been the underdogs in the last two derbies, but they came fired up and ended up with four points.
There has to be a total buy-in from everyone at Portman Road. A desperation from those on the pitch to end 16 years of hurt. Marcelino Nunez’s move to Ipswich will only motivate those in green and yellow, and the Blues will have to match that as an absolute minimum.
Prediction: A streak broken on Suffolk soil. Dara O’Shea with a first-half header from a corner to give the hosts an advantage going into the break. Norwich try to bash the door down in the second half, but Alex Palmer’s late penalty save to deny Josh Sargent allows Ipswich to see it out. How about that for a prediction? Town to win 1-0.
The Blues are looking to kickstart their season after the September international break
11 points from a possible 15 would be brilliant for Ipswich in this next block of games. I’m certainly looking at things in a positive light, hoping that they click on the pitch in the coming days and weeks, but it’s what I’m expecting from them too.
After all, they boast a squad worth millions. The quality is there, but it’s getting them to gel and work as a team rather than a group of individual players.
That will take time, it won’t come instantly, but I think we’ll see big steps in the next month or so. Crucially, a derby day win would really lift the mood ahead of the cold winter months.
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