David Moyes is right.Everton would be wrong to look at newly promoted Ipswich coming to the Hill Dickinson and assume that three points will follow.
As we all know, football doesn’t work like that.
The Blues are unbeaten in six matches in all competitions and have come through games against Manchester United and Tottenham without defeat. Wednesday night’s 1-0 Carabao Cup win over Wolves kept that run going despite Moyes making changes to his side.
Ipswich at home inevitably looks different on paper, but the Everton manager was quick to challenge any suggestion that Saturday afternoon should be straightforward.
“I don’t think you can take any team for granted, and certainly if people are raising their expectations because of the opposition, they’ve certainly got it wrong,” Moyes said.
Ipswich may be newly promoted, but their opening month has offered little encouragement to anyone expecting an easy afternoon. They have six points from four games and arrive at the Hill Dickinson after winning 3-2 at Crystal Palace last weekend.
Everton know what Ipswich can do
There is some relatively recent history here too.
Everton appeared to be cruising when the sides met at Goodison Park in May 2025. Beto and Dwight McNeil put the Blues 2-0 ahead inside 35 minutes, only for Julio Enciso to pull one back before half-time and George Hirst to equalise late on.
Moyes said afterwards that Everton had never quite managed to “shrug them off”.
Ipswich were relegated a few weeks later, spent last season in the Championship and came straight back up. They return to Merseyside with a much-changed side but having already shown they can pick up points in the Premier League.
Everton have changed plenty too.
Moyes was able to rotate against Wolves in midweek and still get through the tie, with Tyler Dibling setting up Carlos Alcaraz for the only goal. Dibling’s performance followed Alan Irvine’s comments about the youngster’s progress and both players have given Moyes something to think about before he names his team.
Jarrad Branthwaite is also back in the side after his injury problems, while Everton have not lost since the opening weekend of the season.
There are good reasons for the mood around the Hill Dickinson to be considerably brighter than it has been at times in recent years. Moyes, as you would expect, would rather everyone kept their feet on the ground.
The latest Everton and Ipswich team news is available ahead of the 3pm kick-off.
LIVE! Premier League 2026/27 News, Transfers, Updates & Viral Moments
Everton v Ipswich combined XI: 11 players who represented both clubs
Everton v Ipswich combined XI: 11 players who represented both clubs
Seven Everton v Ipswich stats Toffees fans need to know
Seven Everton v Ipswich stats Toffees fans need to know