Ipswich Town host Nottingham Forest at Portman Road on Friday evening, looking to respond after narrowly missing out at Manchester City last time out.
Gary O’Neil’s side are 10th in the Premier League table with nine points from seven games, having won three and lost four. Only goal difference separates the two clubs, with Forest two places and four points further back in 19th. A first home defeat in some time would hand the initiative to a struggling Forest side, who have won only once away from home all season, with Hull City to follow after the international break.
Ipswich Town team news
Sasa Lukic will miss out through a groin injury that also forced him out of the defeat at Manchester City. O’Neil confirmed the issue has taken longer to clear than hoped: “Sasa will be out tomorrow. It’s taken a little bit longer.” The head coach is targeting a return for the Serbia international against Hull City on 31 October rather than risk him sooner. No other Ipswich player is a fresh doubt for Friday’s visit of Forest.
With Lukic sidelined, Florentino Luís and Exequiel Palacios are set to continue as the central midfield pairing used at the Etihad Stadium. Zian Flemming scored from the bench against Manchester City, but Emersonn is expected to continue leading the line. Leif Davis, who has scored twice and set up two more in nine appearances this season, remains a certain starter at left-back, with Dara O’Shea, Issa Diop and Jacob Greaves also continuing in defence. Emersonn has had the most shot volume of any Ipswich player in the Premier League this season, underlining his importance through the middle.
Ipswich Town predicted lineup
Ipswich Town possible starting XI: Walton; O’Shea, Diop, Greaves; Ouattara, Florentino, Palacios, Davis; Maeda, Emersonn, Enciso
When will the match kick off?
The Premier League match kicks off at 20:00 BST on Friday, 23 October 2026.
How to watch Ipswich Town vs Nottingham Forest?
The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK.
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