With today’s 3pm kick-off at Portman Road edging closer, it’s time to predict the side Eddie Howe will go for as we take on Ipswich Town down in Suffolk a little later on.
We’ll be without Joelinton through suspension, while Pope (knee), Wilson (hamstring), Botman (not yet match fit), Krafth (collarbone) and Lascelles (ACL) are all ruled out.
Here’s the side we’re backing to start and why:
**(4-3-3):** Dubravka – Trippier, Schar, Burn, Hall – Bruno, Tonali, Willock – Murphy, Isak, Gordon.
**OUT:** Joelinton and Livramento. **IN:** Willock and Trippier.
Joelinton IS suspended, so it will be interesting to see who Howe brings into his midfield three. With Tonali starring as a No.6 and Bruno thriving in that right-sided No.8 role, I think we’ll see Willock come in down the left.
Longstaff is available again after his ban in midweek, but he tends to play in the right-sided role now occupied by Bruno, while Miley is still edging his way back to match sharpness, so probably isn’t in a position to start.
At the back, I think we’ll see a bit of rotation and a rare start for Trippier at right-back. Livramento has done a solid job and doesn’t deserve to be ‘dropped’, but he’s played a lot of football this season and may benefit from a game off.
In attack, this could be a game for Barnes but not if that means switching Gordon away from his best position. For that reason, I think we’ll see Murphy continue on the right after his two assists in our last away game at Brentford.
I can’t see Howe rotating a winning side too much, but rotation is possible based on his pre-match comments:
> _“There’s some tired bodies but refreshingly energetic because results have been good. Will make assessments on how everyone looks today._
How do you see us lining up later on today? Let us know in the comments section below…