Ipswich Town vs. Tottenham Hotspur | Premier League | Pre Match

On the hunt for a third Premier League win on the spin, Tottenham Hotspur travel to Portman Road to face Ipswich Town, where revenge will be on the mind for Ange Postecoglou and co.

The Lilywhites were memorably beaten by their newly-promoted foes when they welcomed them to North London earlier in the season, a shock scalp which marked the Tractor Boys' first top-flight win of the campaign. That victory not only gave Ipswich a much-needed morale boost but also sent shockwaves through the league, demonstrating that McKenna’s men were not to be underestimated. Tottenham, still struggling with inconsistency at the time, were left reeling, and the defeat highlighted their lack of depth and reliance on key individuals who were either injured or off form. Now, with a strengthened squad and newfound momentum, Postecoglou’s side is determined to set the record straight and assert their dominance over their newly promoted counterparts.

As Tottenham gear up for a bottom-half battle on Saturday, last weekend's headline encounter with Manchester United represented another clash between two sides in the lower echelons of the top-flight standings, which few could have surely foreseen at the start of the term. Historically, both clubs have been perennial contenders for Champions League spots, but injuries, managerial changes, and inconsistent performances have seen them languish in unfamiliar territory this season. The fixture against United was not just about three points but about regaining some semblance of credibility. Tottenham, despite their struggles, showed resilience, and James Maddison’s winner was a statement of intent. His goal celebration, aimed at Roy Keane, was just as symbolic, embodying a team beginning to find its identity amidst adversity.

Slaying Ruben Amorim's men - no matter how deep Man United's crisis may be - was the perfect tonic to back-to-back EFL Cup and FA Cup exits for Spurs, whose only hopes of silverware may now be resting on the Europa League, but things may finally be looking up once more. The challenge for Postecoglou now is sustaining this newfound belief and ensuring that his squad does not slip into old habits. The Europa League may offer an alternate route to silverware, but for a club of Tottenham’s stature, finishing outside the top six would still be viewed as a major disappointment. Postecoglou’s ability to instill confidence and tactical discipline will be crucial in ensuring that the season does not end in yet another campaign of 'what ifs' and near misses.

No longer working around a double-figure absentee list, Postecoglou has seen the Lilywhites shoot up to 12th place in the Premier League rankings, although the Australian was under no illusions last week that their mid-table ranking remains "unacceptable" for a club of their calibre. Despite their recent resurgence, the pressure remains on Tottenham to perform and climb back into the European spots. The upcoming fixture against Ipswich presents another chance to build momentum, but it will not be a straightforward encounter. The Tractor Boys have already demonstrated their ability to punch above their weight, and with their home fans rallying behind them, they will be eager to complete a historic double over their more illustrious opponents.

Furthermore, the visitors cannot rise any higher up the division no matter what transpires over the weekend, but they could now achieve a feat they have not managed since the days of Antonio Conte in May 2022—win three consecutive Premier League games without conceding. Defensive solidity has often been Tottenham’s Achilles’ heel, and achieving such a milestone would be a testament to the improvements made under Postecoglou’s tenure. With key players gradually returning to fitness, Spurs will be expected to continue their upward trajectory and re-establish themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the Premier League.

Ipswich have to travel back an additional 20 years for the last time that they prevailed in three top-flight encounters on the bounce - last doing so in the 2001-02 campaign - and the brilliant beating of Tottenham did not lead to a sustained upturn in fortunes for Kieran McKenna's side. That victory was supposed to serve as a launchpad for their season, but instead, it became an isolated moment of triumph in an otherwise difficult campaign. Their inability to build on that win has left them entrenched in the relegation battle, struggling to find consistency in a league that punishes any lapse in form. Nevertheless, they remain within touching distance of safety, and a result against Tottenham could be the spark they need to turn their season around.

Only two more Premier League victories have been added to Ipswich's paltry total since then, and the Tractor Boys are still waiting for their first top-flight success of 2025, having failed to triumph in any of their six games in the competition since the turn of the year. Their struggles have been exacerbated by defensive frailties and a lack of cutting edge in front of goal. Despite flashes of promise, they have found it difficult to sustain performances over 90 minutes. The draw against Aston Villa, though hard-earned, was another reminder of their precarious situation and their inability to turn promising positions into three points.

However, taking a point home from a 1-1 draw with Aston Villa last weekend may have felt as good as three for the Tractor Boys, who had to cope with 10 men for the entire second half and forced their foes to come from behind after Liam Delap's 10th Premier League goal of the season. That result showcased their fighting spirit and resilience, qualities that will be crucial in their battle for survival. The defensive heroics of Alex Palmer in goal played a pivotal role in securing that valuable point, snapping a four-game losing run in the process. Yet, their home form remains a significant concern, having lost six of their last seven Premier League matches at Portman Road, including each of their last three.

On a more pleasing note, November's surprise win over Spurs in North London means that Ipswich have now conquered their more esteemed opponents four times in a row in the Premier League, and Tottenham's only success from their last six league trips to Portman Road came all the way back in 1994. These statistics will provide McKenna's men with a much-needed psychological boost heading into the clash, knowing that they have had the upper hand in recent encounters. Whether they can replicate that feat against a revitalized Tottenham side remains to be seen, but history suggests they should not be underestimated.

It was not all good news on the fitness front for Tottenham last week, as Kevin Danso, Rodrigo Bentancur, and Son Heung-min were all forcibly withdrawn in the win over Man United, but Postecoglou is confident that all of them were only suffering from minor knocks. Their availability will be crucial for Spurs, as each of these players plays a significant role in the team's tactical setup. Additionally, Timo Werner could make his return from a hamstring problem, further bolstering their attacking options.

Longer-term absentees Richarlison (calf), Dominic Solanke (knee), Micky van de Ven (thigh), Cristian Romero (thigh), and Radu Dragusin (ACL) are still out of contention, but all except Dragusin are anticipated to return before the next international break. Having a near full-strength squad will be a major boost for Spurs in their push for a strong finish to the campaign.

As for hosts Ipswich, Axel Tuanzebe's sending-off at Villa Park for two bookable offences means that the right-back will serve a one-match suspension on Saturday, where Ben Johnson should drop into a defensive role to cover. The Tractor Boys also suffered another setback as Julio Enciso hurt his knee just 17 minutes into the contest, adding to their growing injury list. With several key players out, McKenna will need to rely on his squad depth to navigate this crucial period.

With both sides desperate for points for different reasons, Saturday’s encounter at Portman Road promises to be a compelling battle. Will Tottenham continue their resurgence, or will Ipswich defy the odds once again?