Premier League 2026/27: Ipswich Town vs Liverpool Prediction

Liverpool will go in search of their first Premier League victory under Andoni Iraola when they travel to Portman Road to face newly promoted Ipswich Town on Friday night.

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The Reds have made an unconvincing start to the 2026/27 campaign, drawing their opening two league matches 2-2 against Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest. Ipswich, meanwhile, have already tasted victory since returning to the top flight, beating Sunderland on the opening weekend before suffering a heavy 5-2 defeat against Manchester United.

That combination makes for an intriguing Matchday 3 opener. Liverpool are the stronger side on paper and will expect to return to Merseyside with three points, but their defensive vulnerability and Ipswich’s willingness to attack suggest the Tractor Boys could make things uncomfortable at Portman Road.

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There is already pressure on Liverpool to get their season moving.

Iraola replaced Arne Slot during the off-season and is still waiting for his first Premier League victory as Reds boss after consecutive draws. Liverpool have shown character to come from behind in both matches, but conceding four goals across their opening two fixtures has highlighted some early teething problems under their new manager.

Liverpool fell behind twice at Newcastle before Dominik Szoboszlai’s stoppage-time penalty rescued a 2-2 draw. It was a similar story at Anfield against Nottingham Forest, where Iraola’s side again had to equalise twice, with Alexander Isak and Victor Munoz finding the net in another 2-2 draw.

Four goals scored suggests Liverpool are creating enough opportunities to win matches. Four conceded explains why they haven’t.

Iraola will therefore want a more controlled performance at Portman Road, particularly against an Ipswich side that has demonstrated it isn’t afraid to attack Premier League opposition.

There could also be a debut for deadline-day signing Bradley Barcola. The French winger completed his move from Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday after an impressive spell in the French capital that produced 39 goals and 35 assists in 152 appearances. His pace and direct running could add another dangerous dimension to Liverpool’s attack.

Ipswich have their own reasons for approaching the game with confidence.

Gary O’Neil’s side marked their Premier League return with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Sunderland at Portman Road. New signing Emersonn scored the opener before Sunderland equalised, but former Black Cats winger Jack Clarke struck a 90th-minute winner to give the Tractor Boys a dream start.

Their second league match provided a much harsher reminder of the challenge awaiting them in the top flight.

Ipswich took the lead at Old Trafford through a superb Leif Davis strike but were eventually overwhelmed as Bruno Fernandes scored a hat-trick and Manchester United ran out 5-2 winners.

Conceding five will naturally concern O’Neil ahead of Liverpool’s visit. However, scoring twice at Old Trafford after putting two past Sunderland means Ipswich have also shown that they possess enough attacking quality to cause problems.

If Iraola can tighten things up defensively, the Reds should have enough quality to finally turn one of those promising attacking performances into a victory.

Recent Form & Stats

• Ipswich’s opening two Premier League matches have produced 10 goals, with the Tractor Boys scoring four and conceding six.
  
• Ipswich opened their league campaign with a 2-1 win over Sunderland before suffering a 5-2 defeat to Manchester United. They also beat Leicester City 3-1 in the Carabao Cup, meaning they have scored in all three competitive matches this season. Ipswich have won both of their competitive matches at Portman Road this season, beating Sunderland and Leicester.
  
• Liverpool are unbeaten but winless in the Premier League under Andoni Iraola, drawing their opening two matches 2-2 against Newcastle and Nottingham Forest.
  
• The Reds have scored four goals and conceded four, meaning neither Liverpool nor Ipswich have kept a Premier League clean sheet this season.
  
• Liverpool have therefore seen Both Teams To Score and Over 2.5 Goals land in both league matches.
  
• Liverpool are the favourites heading into Friday night’s encounter despite their winless start. The Reds won both Premier League meetings in 2024/25, including a 2-0 victory at Portman Road and a 4-1 win at Anfield.

Best Bets & Prediction

Prediction: Liverpool to win at 1.52.

Best Bet: Liverpool to win & BTTS at 2.45.

Alternative Bet: Over 2.5 total goals at 1.45.