Ipswich Town vs. Manchester City | Premier League | Pre Match

Two days after securing a landmark contract extension with their star striker Erling Haaland, Manchester City head into Sunday’s Premier League clash against Ipswich Town with significant ground to cover. The reigning champions find themselves needing to bounce back from a midweek setback—a 2-2 draw with Brentford—while also rectifying lapses in their recent performances.

City’s midweek encounter against Brentford encapsulated the unpredictable nature of football. Arriving at the Gtech Community Stadium on the back of three successive wins, Pep Guardiola’s side looked to be cruising to a comfortable victory after Phil Foden’s second-half brace gave them a 2-0 lead. However, a resilient Brentford, undeterred by their FA Cup exit to Plymouth Argyle just days earlier, turned the game on its head. Yoane Wissa halved the deficit with a well-taken strike, and captain Christian Norgaard completed the comeback with a towering header that stunned the visiting faithful.

Though not as catastrophic as their earlier Champions League collapse against Feyenoord, the draw was a sobering result for City, who missed the chance to draw level with Chelsea in the league standings. The dropped points left Guardiola’s men three points adrift of Newcastle United, who currently occupy the final Champions League spot.

Nevertheless, City fans found a reason to celebrate just days later when the club announced Haaland’s extraordinary nine-and-a-half-year contract extension. The Norwegian striker, who has redefined the art of goal-scoring since joining City, committed to the club until just shy of his 34th birthday. The historic deal underscores City’s ambition to remain at the pinnacle of English football and reinforces Haaland’s pivotal role in their future successes.

Haaland, who famously netted a hat-trick in City’s 4-1 demolition of Ipswich earlier this season, now has his sights set on rewriting history once again. A repeat performance at Portman Road would see him join an elite club of Premier League players—alongside Emmanuel Adebayor—to score hat-tricks both home and away against the same team in a single season. His unparalleled scoring ability makes him the focal point of City’s attacking threat and a nightmare for any opposing defense.

However, Ipswich Town will be determined to spoil City’s party. Managed by Kieran McKenna, the Tractor Boys have shown resilience in patches this season, though Thursday’s 2-0 loss to Brighton brought them back to reality. Goals from Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma and Georginio Rutter ended Ipswich’s three-game unbeaten run and left them languishing in the relegation zone on goal difference. Despite their precarious position, Ipswich remain a team capable of surprising their opponents, as evidenced by their recent 2-1 victory over Chelsea.

Historically, Ipswich have struggled against reigning English champions, with their last win against such opposition dating back to a memorable 3-2 triumph over Manchester United during the 1994-95 season. In their six most recent Premier League encounters with titleholders, Ipswich have suffered five defeats and managed just one draw. Adding to their woes is City’s determination to complete their first league double over the Tractor Boys since the 1994-95 campaign.

Intriguingly, Ipswich have a formidable record at home against City, having won their last four home games against the reigning champions. However, these victories date back to a bygone era, with the most recent coming in 2001—a reminder of how much both clubs have evolved since then.

City’s squad selection for Sunday will be influenced by a combination of injuries and impending fixtures. Right-back Kyle Walker, who has expressed his desire to leave the club, was absent against Brentford and is unlikely to feature at Portman Road. Guardiola has experimented with Matheus Nunes as a makeshift right-back in Walker’s absence, a move that paid dividends in the FA Cup thrashing of Salford City. However, with a crucial Champions League tie against Paris Saint-Germain looming next week, Guardiola may opt to rotate his squad to keep key players fresh.

City will also be without several first-team regulars. Rodri (ACL), Ruben Dias (calf), and Oscar Bobb (leg) remain sidelined, while John Stones (foot) is nearing a return but is unlikely to be risked. On the brighter side, new arrivals Omar Marmoush and Abdukodir Khusanov are expected to join the squad soon, but their signings are unlikely to be finalized in time for Sunday’s game.

Ipswich face selection challenges of their own. Midfielder Kalvin Phillips, on loan from City, is ineligible to play against his parent club, paving the way for Sam Morsy’s return to the starting XI alongside Jens Cajuste. Injuries to key players, including Conor Chaplin (knee), Chiedozie Ogbene (Achilles), Axel Tuanzebe (thigh), and Sammie Szmodics (ankle), have stretched McKenna’s squad. However, Omari Hutchinson’s unexpected return from a groin injury in midweek offers a welcome boost.

The Tractor Boys have also bolstered their attack with the acquisition of Jaden Philogene from Aston Villa. The 22-year-old winger could make his debut on Sunday, adding fresh impetus to Ipswich’s frontline. Meanwhile, Liam Delap, formerly of City, will be eager to prove a point against his old club but will need better support from his teammates to pose a genuine threat.

Guardiola’s tactical approach will likely involve heavy reliance on Haaland and Foden, both of whom have been in scintillating form this season. Foden’s brace against Brentford demonstrated his ability to step up in crucial moments, while Haaland’s sheer physicality and instinct for goal make him a constant menace. The midfield trio of Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, and Ilkay Gundogan will aim to control the game’s tempo, while City’s defensive unit must remain vigilant against Ipswich’s counter-attacking potential.

On the other hand, Ipswich will look to capitalize on City’s vulnerabilities, particularly in wide areas where the absence of Walker and Dias could leave gaps. The Tractor Boys’ best chance of success lies in adopting a disciplined defensive approach and exploiting set-piece opportunities, where City have occasionally shown frailty.

While City are the overwhelming favorites, Ipswich’s recent home form against the champions and their spirited performances this season suggest they cannot be underestimated. For McKenna’s side, a positive result against one of the league’s heavyweights could serve as a springboard for their survival bid. For City, victory is non-negotiable as they seek to close the gap on their top-four rivals and build momentum ahead of their European showdown with PSG.

Sunday’s encounter at Portman Road promises to be an intriguing clash of styles. Will City’s star power and tactical prowess prevail, or can Ipswich defy the odds to claim a famous result? Fans on both sides—and neutrals—can look forward to a captivating contest.