Southampton vs Ipswich predictions: Tractor Boys can claim first win
- Southampton are on a 17-match winless run in the Premier League
- Ipswich did the double over the Saints last season
- Recommended bet: Ipswich - Draw No Bet
It has been a tough start to life back in the Premier League for Southampton and Ipswich, with both teams still chasing their first top-flight wins of the season heading into their clash at St Mary's Stadium on Saturday.
Saints are yet to pick up a point, losing all four of their league games, although they have enjoyed progress in the Carabao Cup, getting the better of Everton in midweek to reach the fourth round of that competition.
Ipswich have enjoyed no such cup run, but the Tractor Boys have drawn their last two games to suggest they are finding their feet back in the top flight for the first time in 22 years.
Team news
Southampton manager Russell Martin made 10 changes to his starting line-up for the cup triumph over Everton and the likes of Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Adam Armstrong and Joe Aribo will hope to have done enough to retain their places.
Jack Stephens is still unavailable following his sending off against Manchester United last weekend, while Will Smallbone is expected to remain on the treatment table alongside Kamaldeen Sulemana and Gavin Bazunu.
Ipswich have no fresh injury concerns to contend with but this game is likely to come too soon for both Harry Clarke and Nathan Broadhead following respective Achilles and hamstring injuries.
The stats
Southampton have lost all four of their Premier League matches this season and are on a 17-game winless run in the competition (D4 L13) since a 1-0 home victory over Leicester in March 2023.
After losing their opening two games of the season to Liverpool and Manchester City, Ipswich have recorded back-to-back draws against Fulham and Brighton.
The Tractor Boys’ last top-flight victory was a 1-0 home success over Middlesbrough in April 2002 — Darren Bent scored the only goal of the game that day.
Ipswich did the double over Southampton last season in the Championship, following up a 1-0 success at St Mary's in September 2023 with April's 3-2 triumph on home soil at Portman Road.
Prediction
The early signs suggest these two sides could be in for a long hard season in the Premier League, but while Martin's possession-based style is struggling to yield results for Southampton, there are reasons for Ipswich to feel more optimistic.
Kieran McKenna's side were always going to struggle in their opening two games against Liverpool and City, but they have shown they are going to be more than competitive after subsequently holding both Fulham and Brighton to draws.
Ipswich know what it takes to beat Southampton after doing the double over them last season and they look the more likely of the two to win Saturday's game.
However, getting that first victory of the season is never easy, especially for a newly-promoted side, so siding with Ipswich in the Draw No Bet market may be the safer play, rather than going all in on the Tractor Boys.
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