Ipswich Town lost 3-2 at Manchester United in their last Premier League outing.Ipswich Town lost 3-2 at Manchester United in their last Premier League outing. (Image: PA)
MIND THE GAP
Ipswich Town still haven't won a Premier League game in 2025. The 3-2 defeat at 10-man Manchester United 10 days ago can be added to the frustratingly large 'missed opportunity' file. The FA Cup dream is over following Monday's night's fifth round exit at Nottingham Forest via a penalty shootout.
With 11 games to go, the Blues have just three wins and 17 points to their name. The task is clear: Stay ahead of Leicester (also on 17pts) and overtake Wolves (who are five points ahead, effectively six due to a 12-goal superior goal difference).
Town still have both those teams to play. Wolves come to Portman Road on April 5, while Ipswich go to Leicester in their penultimate fixture (May 18).
Ideally, Ipswich will close that gap to Wolves before the two teams meet in Suffolk. At worst they need to make sure it doesn't grow.
George Hirst celebrates his goal in Monday's night's FA Cup game at Nottingham Forest.George Hirst celebrates his goal in Monday's night's FA Cup game at Nottingham Forest. (Image: PA)
THE NEXT THREE
Town have three games before that Wolves face-off.
Kieran McKenna's men are at 12th-place Crystal Palace (today), host third-place Nottingham Forest next Saturday and, after a 17-day break from action due to weekends kept free for internationals and the FA Cup quarter-finals, have a midweek trip to seventh-place Bournemouth.
Wolves host 16th-place Everton tonight (8pm), go to rock-bottom Southampton next Saturday and then host 15th-place West Ham. On paper, that's an easier run of fixtures. They are going to be without suspended star man Matheus Cunha for all those matches though.
Leicester, who shouldn't be forgotten about, are at Chelsea tomorrow (2pm), host Man United next Sunday and then go to Man City in the midweek games that follow the break.
Ipswich Town exited the FA Cup at ForestIpswich Town exited the FA Cup at Forest (Image: PA) BUILDING ON MONDAY
Town's second half display at Old Trafford was extremely disappointing, but the response at Nottingham Forest on Monday was good.
The Blues dug deep to take an evenly-contested game to a penalty shootout. Hopefully extra-time and a late return to Suffolk hasn't taken too much out of the players and they can take that fighting spirit into today's game.
Julio Enciso could be back in the Town squad this weekend.Julio Enciso could be back in the Town squad this weekend. (Image: Ross Halls)
INJURY CRISIS
McKenna's options are limited due to the fact that 11 players are either injured or not fully fit.
Axel Tuanzebe (hamstring) is out again. Sammie Szmodics needs ankle surgery and has joined Wes Burns (knee) and Chiedozie Ogbene (Achilles) as a long-term absentee. Conor Chaplin (knee) still isn't ready to return, while Aro Muric has had injections in a troublesome shoulder.
On a more positive note, Christian Walton (groin), Kalvin Phillips (calf), Julio Enciso (knee) and Omari Hutchinson (knee) could all return to the squad today. The way McKenna spoke at his pre-match press conference suggests they'll be on the bench at best though.
The Blues boss has also spoken of others who were involved on Monday having picked up knocks and potentially not being available. We'll have to wait and see who he is referring to.
Sam Morsy is a likely starter todaySam Morsy is a likely starter today (Image: PA) WHO PLAYS?
I think it's time to revert back to the 3-4-2-1 system that made Ipswich a bit more solid around the turn of the year.
One, that will match up Palace's system. Two, it will enable Luke Woolfenden and Ben Johnson, who both impressed at Forest, to play. Three, fully-fit attacking options are limited.
My predicted line-up is this: Palmer; O'Shea, Woolfenden, Greaves; Johnson, Morsy, Cajuste, Davis; Philogene, Clarke; Delap.
Leif Davis is likely to replace Conor Townsend at left-back.Leif Davis is likely to replace Conor Townsend at left-back. (Image: PA)
LEFT-SIDE DEBATE
Conor Townsend was another who took his chance at Forest. He's been rock solid whenever called upon this season, to the point where many have questioned whether he should actually get in ahead of Davis at left-back. It's a valid debate, but I can't see that happening. Davis is still one of Town's primary creator of chances.
Another discussion is whether McKenna could find a way to play both Townsend and Davis, with the latter possibly deployed a bit further forwards.
"It's not impossible, but with the balance on that side and how we play (with the left-sided attacker tucked in), there isn't very often a position higher up than Leif and usually behind him is a centre-back, and Conor isn't a centre-back.
“So, if you ask me honestly, do I think they'll play a lot of games together? Probably not, but it gives us two strong options in that position.”
Eddie Nketiah (left) celebrates during Crystal Palace's recent 4-1 home win against Aston Villa.Eddie Nketiah (left) celebrates during Crystal Palace's recent 4-1 home win against Aston Villa. (Image: PA)
PALACE IN FORM...
Only Liverpool and Arsenal have taken more points than Crystal Palace over the last 14 games.
Having started the season poorly, the Eagles have climbed to 12th in the table and reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup after winning eight of their last 10 games across all competitions.
They have seven players capped by England in their squad - Dean Henderson, Marc Guehi, Tyrick Mitchell, Ben Chilwell, Eberechi Eze and Eddie Nketiah - and six of those are likely to start this match.
Henderson has been one of the best keepers in the division this season. Centre-back Guehi was the Three Lions' best player at the Euros last summer. Wharton, just back from injury, is a classy midfielder who has been linked to Real Madrid. Eze is another with a £60m+ price tag on his head.
In the reverse fixture at Portman Road early last December, Town struggled to create chances against an athletic and organised side. Palace grabbed the only goal of the game on a direct breakaway.
Since then the South Londoners have improved as an attacking unit. Their recent 4-1 demolition of Aston Villa at Selhurst Park was certainly impressive.
Crystal Palace are without their leading scorer Jean-Phillipe Mateta after he was stretchered off with a head injury last weekend.Crystal Palace are without their leading scorer Jean-Phillipe Mateta after he was stretchered off with a head injury last weekend. (Image: PA)
REASONS FOR OPTIMISM...
McKenna referenced Selhurst Park as being 'a difficult place to go' in his pre-match press conference, but Palace have actually only won three Premier League games there this season - against Tottenham (Oct), Southampton (Dec) and, as mentioned, recently against Villa. Just 14 of their 36 points have come at home.
The Eagles will also be without their leading scorer and a key midfielder for this game.
Jean-Phillipe Mateta was stretchered off and required 25 stitches near his ear after being hit by the high boot of Millwall keeper Liam Roberts last weekend. The powerful French striker has scored eight goals in his last 10 appearances and is integral to the way they play. Likely replacement, Nketiah, is a different type of player and has had limited minutes this season.
Will Hughes, meanwhile, starts a two-game ban for picking up 10 league bookings. The home midfield will lack a bit of bite without him.
Liam Delap contests an aerial ball in Ipswich Town's 1-0 defeat at Crystal Palace in early December.Liam Delap contests an aerial ball in Ipswich Town's 1-0 defeat at Crystal Palace in early December. (Image: Steve Waller)
WHAT TYPE OF GAME?
Palace have made more tackles then anyone else in the Premier League, rank low for possession and are second when it comes to set-piece goals scored. They've actually only scored two more goals from open play than Ipswich, but the xG stats suggest they should have bagged a lot.
The previous meeting was a stop-start, scrappy set-piece battle that was decided by one breakaway that Ipswich poorly defended. The hope has to be it can be roles reversed this time and the Blues can edge a fine margins affair.
Town, I think, will approach this much like Monday's game at Forest - stay organised, stay in the game and then try and turn up the tempo in the second half.
STU'S PREDICTION
I was uplifted by Town's display on Monday night, but my concern is that late finish could have taken a bit out of the group.
A close game, but Palace to take their chances and manage it well is my prediction. I'll go for a 2-0 home win. I hope I'm wrong!