Relegation-battling Ipswich host title-chasing Arsenal in a huge Premier League clash.
Victory could move Ipswich to within 11 points of 17th-placed Wolves if the latter lose to Manchester United, whilst second-placed Arsenal simply need to avoid defeat to delay Liverpool’s chance to wrap up the title in the teatime kick-off.
Team News
Jaden Philogene-Bidace is ruled out for Ipswich until next season with a MCL injury.
Kalvin Phillips (Achilles) is also sidelined but Liam Delap (rib) is a doubt for selection.
Arijanet Muric (shoulder), Omari Hutchinson (knock), Sammie Szmodics (ankle), Wes Burns (ACL) and Chiedozie Ogbene (Achilles) remain ruled out.
Arsenal have no fresh injury concerns to report after their Champions League victory away to Real Madrid.
Gabriel, Kai Havertz (both hamstring), Gabriel Jesus, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Riccardo Calafiori (all knee) and Jorginho (rib) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Ipswich host Arsenal at Portman Road on Easter Sunday 20 April at 2pm BST, live on Sky Sports in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Ipswich are winless against Arsenal in the Premier League (D2, L9).
- Arsenal have dropped just two points in their five previous Premier League visits to Ipswich (W4, D1).
- Ipswich have failed to score in any of their last four Premier League games against Arsenal (L4), during which they conceded six goals without reply.
- Kieran McKenna’s Tractor Boys have scored one goal in each of their last four home games (L4), although they conceded 12 goals across those four matches.
- No Arsenal player has been substituted onto the pitch on more occasions than Ethan Nwaneri this season (12).
Prediction
Ipswich certainly mounted a superb clinical counter-attacking first-half display at Chelsea but were defensively outplayed in the second-half, with a sloppy own-goal and poor marking of Jadon Sancho’s stunning strike costing them a vital win but they will need more of the same with tighter defending to get a result here.
Arsenal meanwhile were absolutely well-organised, disciplined – aside from Thomas Partey’s outburst – and clinical in their victory at Real Madrid, but they really need to knuckle down now to try and avoid the risk of losing second to an in-form Newcastle.
As much as it would be enjoyable to see Ipswich pull off a shock, I just don’t see Arsenal losing this if they turn up with the right attitude as they need to get this and Wednesday’s clash against Crystal Palace done, before they can relax and enjoy a free weekend to prepare for PSG.
Prediction: Ipswich 1-2 Arsenal
