Ipswich Town vs Brentford

Brentford head to Portman Road this Saturday afternoon to take on already-relegated Ipswich Town in the Premier League, still nurturing ambitions of securing European football for the first time in their history. The Bees are in fine form, having strung together a series of impressive results, and they will be eager to capitalize on their momentum against an Ipswich side whose fate has already been sealed. A victory would not only keep their European dreams alive but also complete their first-ever league double over the Tractor Boys, having narrowly defeated them 4-3 in a thrilling encounter at the Gtech Community Stadium over six months ago.

For Ipswich, the season has been one of struggle, culminating in their confirmed relegation last week. However, they showed resilience in their most recent outing, fighting back from two goals down to secure a 2-2 draw against Everton at Goodison Park. That result marked their 10th league draw of the campaign, a testament to their occasional flashes of competitiveness despite their overall struggles. Trailing early due to goals from Beto and Dwight McNeil, Kieran McKenna’s side staged a spirited comeback, with Julio Enciso reigniting hope with a stunning long-range effort before George Hirst nodded in a second-half equalizer.

Despite that encouraging performance, Ipswich’s home form has been nothing short of dismal. They have mustered just seven points at Portman Road all season, compared to 15 on their travels, and have lost 10 of their last 11 home matches. Their solitary home victory came against Chelsea in December, a 2-0 triumph that remains a rare bright spot in an otherwise bleak campaign. Historically, Ipswich have only once endured more home defeats in a single league season—13 losses in the 1994-95 campaign—and they will be desperate to avoid matching or surpassing that unwanted record in their remaining fixtures.

The Tractor Boys can, however, draw some comfort from their past encounters with Brentford at Portman Road. In seven previous home league meetings, they have lost just once (2 wins, 4 draws), with that defeat coming back in April 2016 when they were beaten 3-1 in the Championship. Ending their current seven-game home losing streak will be a priority, and McKenna’s men will hope to channel the spirit of their recent fightback against Everton to salvage some pride in front of their supporters.

On the other hand, Brentford arrive in Suffolk in scintillating form, having won their last three Premier League matches—a feat they last surpassed in February/March 1939 with five consecutive victories. Their recent resurgence has reignited hopes of a late push for European qualification, with Thomas Frank’s side now just one point behind eighth-placed Bournemouth. A win against Ipswich would not only edge them closer to their rivals but also set a new club record for Premier League victories in a single season, surpassing their current tally of 15 from the 2022-23 campaign.

The Bees’ attacking prowess has been a standout feature of their season, with their recent 4-3 victory over Manchester United serving as further evidence of their firepower. Kevin Schade’s brace and Yoane Wissa’s contributions highlighted their threat in front of goal, and they have now scored four or more goals in eight different league matches this season—more than any other side in the division. Only three times in their history have they managed to score four or more in nine league games in a single campaign (1930-31, 1962-63, and 1982-83), and with three fixtures remaining, they have a realistic chance of matching that record.

With games against Wolves and Fulham still to come after this weekend, Brentford’s destiny remains in their own hands. Their recent dominance over Ipswich—losing just once in their last 10 league meetings (4 wins, 5 draws)—further strengthens their case as favorites. Additionally, their last visit to Portman Road in September 2018 ended in a 1-1 draw, and given their current form, they will be confident of securing a positive result this time around.

For Ipswich, the remaining fixtures are more about pride and laying foundations for next season’s Championship campaign. McKenna will be eager to instill some belief in his squad, particularly at home, where their performances have been far below expectations. A strong finish could provide a psychological boost ahead of what promises to be a challenging rebuild.

Brentford, meanwhile, have everything to play for. European football remains a tantalizing possibility, and with their attack firing on all cylinders, they will be relentless in their pursuit of three points. The contrast in motivation between the two sides could prove decisive, but as their previous meeting demonstrated, Ipswich are capable of making life difficult when least expected.

Ultimately, this fixture represents a clash of two teams at opposite ends of the spectrum—one fighting for history, the other seeking redemption. Whether Brentford can maintain their charge or Ipswich can play the role of spoilers remains to be seen, but the stage is set for an intriguing encounter at Portman Road.