Crystal Palace vs Ipswich Town

Crystal Palace are set to take on Ipswich Town this Saturday afternoon at Selhurst Park, aiming to edge closer to the top half of the Premier League table. With Ipswich battling relegation, this match holds significant weight for both sides. A victory for the Eagles would mark their first league double over the Tractor Boys since the 2010-11 Championship campaign, following their narrow 1-0 triumph at Portman Road in the reverse fixture three months ago.

Oliver Glasner’s men have demonstrated impressive form since the beginning of the year, winning eight of their last 11 games across all competitions and drawing once. Their attacking prowess has been evident, with the team scoring at least two goals in seven of those matches while showcasing defensive solidity by securing six clean sheets. Their most recent outing in the FA Cup saw them progress past Millwall in the fifth round with a convincing 3-1 home victory. However, the match was overshadowed by a serious injury to Jean-Philippe Mateta, who suffered a deep laceration to his left ear due to a high challenge from Millwall’s goalkeeper Liam Roberts. The incident resulted in Roberts receiving a six-match ban from the FA, while Mateta required 25 stitches but has since been discharged from the hospital.

Before they face Fulham in the FA Cup quarter-finals later this month, Palace must shift their focus back to the Premier League, where they currently hold 12th place, trailing the top 10 by six points. Their recent league form has been commendable, with five victories in their last seven top-flight outings. Since December 3, only Liverpool and Arsenal have amassed more points in the league than Palace’s 27 (from eight wins, three draws, and three defeats), demonstrating their upward trajectory. Notably, just eight of those 27 points have been secured at Selhurst Park, highlighting a relative disparity in their home and away performances.

Nonetheless, Palace will be optimistic about securing another victory on home soil, as they have remained unbeaten in their last 18 Premier League home matches against teams positioned in the relegation zone at the start of matchday. This run, consisting of 12 wins and six draws, dates back to February 2017, when they suffered a 4-0 defeat to Sunderland. Given Ipswich’s current struggles, the Eagles will be confident in extending this impressive record.

Ipswich Town, on the other hand, arrive at Selhurst Park desperate to turn their fortunes around. Kieran McKenna’s side has endured a difficult run of form, having suffered consecutive Premier League defeats against Tottenham Hotspur (4-1) and Manchester United (3-2). Their misery was compounded in the FA Cup, where they were eliminated in the fifth round by Nottingham Forest, succumbing 5-4 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw following 120 minutes of action at the City Ground.

While the prospect of a deep FA Cup run would have been an exciting opportunity, Ipswich must now shift their attention solely to their Premier League survival bid. With only 11 league matches remaining, they face an uphill battle to avoid an immediate return to the Championship. Their struggles in 2025 have been evident, as they are yet to secure a single league victory this year. Since the turn of the year, Ipswich have drawn twice and suffered six defeats, conceding at least twice in seven of those outings. Alarmingly, this marks the first time in the club’s history that they have failed to win any of their first nine league fixtures in a single calendar year.

Currently sitting in 18th place, five points adrift of safety, Ipswich will be eager to narrow that gap by collecting crucial points in their upcoming fixtures. Their next three league encounters against Palace, Nottingham Forest, and Bournemouth present opportunities to gain momentum before they face 17th-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers in what could be a decisive showdown next month.

Ipswich’s last visit to Selhurst Park for a league match came in November 2012, when they suffered a heavy 5-0 defeat at the hands of Palace in the Championship. The Tractor Boys will be keen to avoid a similar outcome this time around. Historically, they have not suffered consecutive away league defeats to Palace since a run of three between 1988 and 1994, a statistic they will hope to preserve.

With both sides having much at stake, this weekend’s encounter promises to be a compelling contest. Crystal Palace will be determined to continue their strong form and solidify their position in the upper half of the table, while Ipswich Town will be fighting tooth and nail to secure a crucial result in their battle against relegation. The outcome of this match could have significant implications for both teams as they navigate the closing stages of the season.