Manchester City welcome newly promoted Ipswich Town to the Etihad this weekend, as they look to collect maximum points from their opening two games.
For the visitors, starts to life back in the top flight don’t get much harder. The Tractor Boys
began their campaign at Portman Road, but the party atmosphere was halted by Arne Slot’s Liverpool. That 2-0 loss precedes a trip to the Etihad to face the Champions.
Manchester City vs Ipswich Town – Match Preview
Form
Manchester City: W
Pep Guardiola’s side began their fourth consecutive title defence with a comfortable 2-0 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. The Citizens barely got out of first gear as they went about their business in West London.
The inevitable Erling Haaland opened his and City’s account for the fresh season in customary fashion. The Norwegian outmuscled Marc Cucurella and lifted the
ball above the palms of Robert Sanchez to put City in the driving seat. Former Chelsea
midfielder Mateo Kovacic scored the second with a great individual effort to haunt his former employers and ensure the three points were going home to Manchester.
What you’ve all been waiting for…
Welcome back to City, @IlkayGuendogan 🩵 pic.twitter.com/8VutEkQNRU
— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 23, 2024
The Croatian breezed past multiple Chelsea players before stroking the ball towards Sanchez’s net. The Spaniard could only palm the ball onto the post and into
the back of the net.
Ipswich Town: L
Despite falling to a 2-0 home defeat last Saturday lunchtime, there were several positives
for Ipswich boss Kieran Mckenna to take from his side’s first Premier League game in over
two decades.
The large majority of his squad have never experienced top-flight football and they did well to match Liverpool for an hour. A quick-fire Liverpool double courtesy of Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah put a dampener on proceedings for the Tractor Boys, who couldn’t quite get a foothold back into the game.
🎥 “It’s going to be a big, big challenge for the group.”
The Manager’s thoughts ahead of #MCIIPS. ⤵️
— IPSWICH TOWN (@IpswichTown) August 22, 2024
Last Meeting: Ipswich Town 1-4 Manchester City, FA Cup, 27th January 2002.
You have to go back over 20 years to find the last meeting between the two teams, a cup clash that saw second-tier leaders Manchester City emphatically beat Premier League outfit Ipswich at Portman Road.
Cult hero Shaun Goater bagged a brace whilst Eyal Berkovic and Darren Huckerby also scored to ensure Kevin Keegan’s team progressed to the fifth round of the FA Cup.
Marcus Bent grabbed the consolation goal but ultimately the Citizens had too much for Ipswich. City romped to promotion at the end of the campaign, while Ipswich were relegated from the top division.
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Predicted Lineups:
Manchester City: Ederson; Lewis, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Rodri, Kovacic, De Bruyne; Foden, Doku, Haaland.
Ipswich Town: Muric; Tuanzebe, Woolfenden, Greaves, Davis; Morsy, Luongo, Johnson,
Szmodics, Hutchinson; Delap.
Who is the referee?
Michael Salisbury.
What channel is Manchester City vs Ipswich on?
Manchester City vs Ipswich is not available to access live in the UK.
What time is kick-off?
15:00 BST on Saturday 24th August 2024.
Odds
Manchester City – 1/11
Draw – 11/1
Ipswich Town – 18/1
Read – Eight talking points ahead of the Premier League weekend
See more – The most goals scored in English football since Haaland joined Man City
