Manchester United vs. Ipswich Prediction, Match Preview, and Betting Tips, 26 February 2025

Manchester United will host Ipswich Town at Old Trafford on 26 February 2025 at 19:30. Both sides are struggling in the Premier League, with United sitting 15th with 30 points and Ipswich 18th with 17 points. Manchester United, managed by Ruben Amorim, aims to bounce back after a disappointing season, most recently drawing 2-2 with Everton.

Ipswich, coached by Kieran McKenna, desperately needs points to avoid relegation. Despite Liam Delap’s strong performances, they have the league’s second-worst defensive record, conceding 54 goals.

Expect a high-scoring match with Manchester United as favourites. Our recommended bet is for over 2.75 goals, with Manchester United likely to win but to concede at least once. Referee Darren England averages 4.2 yellow cards per match, adding a disciplinary dimension to watch.

Manchester United vs Ipswich Prediction & Betting tip

Manchester United vs Ipswich Prediction
Betting tip	Odds
Over 2.75 Goals	1.86

• Both teams have shown defensive vulnerabilities: Manchester United concedes an average of 1.4 goals per game, while Ipswich’s defense has allowed 2.1 goals per match.
• Recent form suggests a high-scoring affair: Manchester United’s and Ipswich’s recent matches have seen plenty of goals, indicating likely scoring opportunities for both sides.
• Manchester United are favourites but likely to concede: Ipswich’s attacking threat, led by Liam Delap, means they can breach United’s defense, making for an expected goal-rich encounter.

Referee Darren England’s tendency to issue yellow cards could also impact the match’s flow, adding another layer of intrigue to this fixture.

Manchester United vs Ipswich Match Preview

Match Details:

• Date: [Insert Date Here]
• Venue: Old Trafford
• Kick-off Time: [Insert Time Here]

Insight:

This upcoming clash between Manchester United and Ipswich Town at Old Trafford is shaping up to be an intriguing fixture. Despite being at different ends of the footballing spectrum, every game tells a story, and this one has the potential for a plot twist or two.

Recent Form:

Manchester United: The Red Devils have had a mixed season so far, finding themselves juggling domestic league commitments and European adventures. Their defensive frailties have been a talking point, leaking an average of 1.4 goals per game, which is unusually high for a club of their stature.
Ipswich Town: On the other hand, Ipswich Town are in the midst of a rebuilding phase, seeking to climb up the ranks. They’ve shown some attacking prowess but have also struggled defensively, conceding 2.1 goals per match on average. Despite this, their offensive threats, particularly the young Liam Delap, suggest they won’t go down without a fight.

Key Players:

• Manchester United: Players like Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford will be pivotal. Fernandes’ creativity and Rashford’s pace could be the keys to unlocking Ipswich’s rather porous defense.
• Ipswich Town: Liam Delap is a name to watch. The youngster could pose a significant threat, capitalizing on any lapses in United’s backline.

Tactics and Strategies:

Expect Manchester United to dominate possession, with Ipswich possibly sitting back and trying to hit on the counter. Given both teams’ defensive susceptibilities, it could be an open game with plenty of goalmouth action.

Betting Tips:

Betting Tip	Odds
Over 2.75 Goals	1.86

• Both teams have shown defensive vulnerabilities: As mentioned, Manchester United concedes an average of 1.4 goals per game, while Ipswich’s defense has allowed 2.1 goals per match.
• Recent form suggests a high-scoring affair: Both teams’ recent matches have seen plenty of goals, which points toward an exciting, goal-rich encounter.
• Manchester United are favourites but likely to concede: Ipswich’s attacking threat, led by Liam Delap, means they can breach United’s defense, making for an expected goal-packed face-off.

Referee Darren England’s infamous penchant for issuing yellow cards could also influence the game’s dynamics, adding an extra layer of drama.

Conclusion:

While Manchester United are the obvious favourites, don’t underestimate Ipswich. Football is a game of surprises, and this fixture could have a few in store. Whether it’s a rout or a hard-fought battle, it’s sure to contribute yet another chapter to the 2023/2024 season narrative.

Manchester United Team Analysis

Recent Performance

Manchester United’s recent form has been a rollercoaster, reflecting their tumultuous season.

Home team	Away team	Result
Everton	Manchester United	2-2 (Draw)
Tottenham	Manchester United	1-0 (Loss)
Manchester United	Leicester	2-1 (Win)
Manchester United	Crystal Palace	0-2 (Loss)
FC FCSB	Manchester United	0-2 (Win)

While they’ve managed just one clean sheet in the last five outings, they’ve scored an average of 1.2 goals per game. Defensively, United has been vulnerable, conceding on average 1.4 goals per match. Their struggles were evident against teams like Everton and Crystal Palace.

However, a win against Leicester and a comfortable victory in Europe show glimpses of their potential. With upcoming fixtures against Arsenal, United needs consistency to steer clear of relegation danger.

Manchester United’s performance in the last five games:

• Draw against Everton (2-2): United secured a draw thanks to late goals from Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte.
• Loss to Tottenham (0-1): A tough away game where they struggled to make an impact.
• Win against Leicester (2-1): A positive result at home to stabilize after a rocky period.
• Loss to Crystal Palace (0-2): Another disappointing home loss, adding to their defensive woes.
• Win in Europe against FC FCSB (2-0): A solid away victory showcasing their attacking capabilities.

Consistency, especially in defence, remains a critical area of improvement for Rúben Amorim’s side.

Manchester United Key Players

Manchester United’s key players for the upcoming match against Ipswich include top scorer Amad Diallo (unfortunately sidelined with an injury) and the creative force Bruno Fernandes. Expect Bruno Fernandes to pull the strings in midfield with his vision and passing, having scored crucial goals in recent games.
In defence, Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire will be pivotal in keeping Ipswich’s attack at bay. The midfield strength will rely heavily on Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte, the latter recently finding the net to secure a draw against Everton.
Expected lineup for Manchester United:

• Goalkeeper: Andre Onana
• Defenders: Noussair Mazraoui, Harry Maguire, Matthijs de Ligt, Patrick Dorgu
• Midfielders: Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte, Bruno Fernandes
• Attackers: Joshua Zirkzee, Alejandro Garnacho, Rasmus Højlund

Watch out for individual battles in midfield, especially Bruno Fernandes against Ipswich’s Kalvin Phillips.

Manchester United Suspensions & Injuries

Manchester United are dealing with a myriad of injuries, significantly impacting their squad depth. Notably, top scorer Amad Diallo is out for the season, severely affecting their attacking options.

Player	Injury	Expected return
Luke Shaw	Hamstring Injury	Early March 2025
Mason Mount	Muscle injury	Early March 2025
Jonny Evans	Physical discomfort	Early March 2025
Lisandro Martínez	Cruciate ligament injury	Early January 2026
Toby Collyer	Muscle injury	Early March 2025
Amad Diallo	Ankle injury	Out for season
Altay Bayindir	Knock injury	Early March 2025

These injuries could impact their performance against Ipswich, putting more pressure on replacements like Alejandro Garnacho and Manuel Ugarte to step up.

Manchester United Tactics and Formation

Manchester United Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-2-3-1
• Key Forward: Rasmus Højlund
  Højlund will lead the attack, supported by Alejandro Garnacho and Joshua Zirkzee on the wings. Given Amad Diallo’s injury, the offensive burden weighs heavily on these young talents.
• Midfield Dynamism: Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte
  Expect Bruno Fernandes to pull the strings in midfield, with Manuel Ugarte providing defensive cover. Fernandes’ playmaking abilities will be crucial in unlocking Ipswich’s defense.
• Defensive Setup: Onana between the posts, supported by Mazraoui, Maguire, de Ligt, and Dalot
  This backline aims to bring solidity, although they’ve conceded an average of 1.4 goals per game this season.
• Notable Strategy: High pressing and quick transitions
  Manchester United will likely utilize a high press to force Ipswich into errors and fast counter-attacks to exploit their shaky defense.
  This tactical setup should help Manchester United leverage their strengths while mitigating the impact of their current injuries.

Ipswich Team Analysis

Ipswich Recent Performance

Ipswich Town has had a rocky patch recently, picking up just one point from their last five matches. Their form reads: LDWLL, highlighting inconsistent performances.

Home team	Away team	Result
Ipswich	Tottenham	1-4 (Loss)
Aston Villa	Ipswich	1-1 (Draw)
Coventry	Ipswich	1-4 (Win)
Ipswich	Southampton	1-2 (Loss)
Liverpool	Ipswich	4-1 (Loss)

Ipswich has averaged 1.60 goals scored per match in their last five games but hasn’t managed a clean sheet in that period, conceding 17 goals. This defensive frailty could be a critical weakness against Manchester United.
In short, it’s a challenge ahead for Kieran McKenna’s team.

Ipswich Key Players

Expected lineup for Ipswich:

• Goalkeeper: Alex Palmer
• Defenders: Axel Tuanzebe, Dara O’Shea, Jacob Greaves, Leif Davis
• Midfielders: Kalvin Phillips, Sam Morsy, Jaden Philogene, Omari Hutchinson, Jack Clarke
• Forwards: Liam Delap

Liam Delap, Ipswich’s top scorer with 10 goals, will be crucial, especially against Manchester United’s defense. His battle with Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt will be one to watch.

In midfield, Kalvin Phillips will be vital in breaking up Manchester United’s play and providing stability in Ipswich’s half. The dynamic Jack Clarke is expected to offer width and creativity, potentially causing problems for Diogo Dalot.

Jacob Greaves will need to step up defensively to manage Rasmus Højlund’s threat, making this an intriguing match-up.

Ipswich Suspensions & Injuries

Player	Injury	Expected return
Janoi Donacien	Groin injury	Unknown
Chiedozie Ogbene	Achilles tendon injury	Early May 2025
Conor Chaplin	Knee injury	Doubtful
Wes Burns	Cruciate ligament injury	Mid October 2025
Christian Walton	Muscle injury	Early April 2025
Julio Enciso	Muscle injury	Mid March 2025
Jens Cajuste	Knock injury	Doubtful

Ipswich Town’s injury list is extensive, which could severely impact their squad depth and overall performance against Manchester United. The absence of key players like Chiedozie Ogbene and Conor Chaplin reduces their ability to create and convert scoring opportunities, while defensive stalwart Janoi Donacien being unavailable puts additional pressure on their backline.

These injuries mean Ipswich will likely face difficulties in both defending against Manchester United’s attacking threats and in finding the back of the net themselves.

Ipswich Tactics and Formation

Ipswich Town Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-2-3-1
• Key Forward: Liam Delap
• Midfield Trio: Jaden Philogene, Omari Hutchinson, Jack Clarke
• Defensive Pairing: Dara O’Shea & Jacob Greaves
• Notable Strategy: High pressing to disrupt Manchester United’s build-up play

Ipswich Town is expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Liam Delap leading the attack. The creative onus will fall on players like Jaden Philogene, Omari Hutchinson, and Jack Clarke, who will aim to exploit any gaps in United’s defense.

Kalvin Phillips and Sam Morsy will provide the defensive shield in midfield, attempting to break up play and support the backline. Defensively, the partnership of Dara O’Shea and Jacob Greaves will need to be solid, particularly given Ipswich’s recent struggles at the back. The key strategy will likely involve high pressing to disrupt United’s build-up and force mistakes.

Manchester United vs Ipswich Town Head-to-Head Statistics

Home	Away	Result
Ipswich Town	Manchester United	1-1
Manchester United	Ipswich Town	3-0
Ipswich Town	Manchester United	0-1
Manchester United	Ipswich Town	4-0
Manchester United	Ipswich Town	2-0

The history between Manchester United and Ipswich Town is largely in favor of the Red Devils. The most recent clash ended in a 1-1 draw, but before that, United had a string of decisive victories.

This matchup has often seen United dominate, but with both teams currently struggling, it could be more unpredictable this time.

Odds accurate as of 24.02.2025 19:32, and are subject to change. Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.