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It’s bizarre to take a look at the Premier League table and see Manchester City in eighth.
The only consolation for City fans is that United (who are losing again – shock!) are marooned down in 13th. City could climb to fifth today, maybe even fourth if they secure a hefty win.
Since 2022, Jaden Philogene has been loaned from Aston Villa to Stoke, loaned from Aston Villa to Cardiff, sold by Aston Villa to Hull, resigned by Aston Villa and then sold by Aston Villa to Ipswich. He’s on the bench and could make his debut for Kieran McKenna’s side today after completing a January transfer to East Anglia.
Good video, this. Philo-gene etc etc.
Lovely stuff, this. Jonny Liew on Liam Delap.
While Ipswich versus Man City may have seemed like it could be the league’s biggest mismatch at the outset of the campaign, the two teams are just a point apart in the current form table.
The Tractor Boys seem to have found their feet somewhat of late, while City’s struggles are far from over, despite going unbeaten in their past four in all competitions. Pep Guardiola’s side ought to be big favourites this afternoon, of course, but they might not have everything their own way.
Confirmed team news
Ipswich: Walton; Godfrey, O’Shea, Burgess; Johnson, Cajuste, Morsy, Davis; Hutchinson, Clarke, Delap.
Subs: Muric, Burns, Taylor, Townsend, Luongo, Hirst, Broadhead, Tuanzebe, Philogene.
Manchester City: Ederson; Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol, Nunes; Kovacic, Gundogan, De Bruyne; Doku, Haaland, Foden.
Subs: Ortega, Grealish, Bernardo, Savinho, Mubama, Alleyne, O’Reilly, Lewis, McAtee.
Well, there’s been no shortage of action in the earlier games. In a surprise to nobody, Brighton scored early at Manchester United and Nottingham Forest stormed into the lead against suffering Southampton … while Everton’s three-goal haul in 45 minutes at home is much more of a shocker – especially for Spurs.
Follow it all with Rob Smyth.
Preamble
Welcome! Manchester City have taken an upturn in recent weeks after being absolutely ruddy awful for a surprisingly long time. They’ve been boosted by Erling Haaland signing his life away this week and the fact lots of players are lined up to join the club.
Ipswich are in the drop-zone but have surprised some of the big hitters and beat Chelsea at Portman Road last month. Kieran McKenna must have taken some influence from Pep Guardiola, judging by his style of play and will be eager to test him against the Catalan once more. The same can be said of Liam Delap who looks like a cracking No 9 and was moulded in the City academy before being sold of to the Tractor Boys.
Here’s to a cracker this afternoon!
Kick-off: 4.30pm GMT
