Ipswich vs Brighton: Preview, Predictions and Lineups

Brighton will be looking for their first Premier League win since November when they take on Ipswich Town at Portman Road on Thursday evening.

After starting the season so strongly under young German manager Fabian Hurzeler, Brighton have plummeted into the bottom half of the table after a winless December. The Seagulls have been hit by injury after injury over the winter, but their recent performances have warranted more points.

They have picked up four draws in their previous four league games and were able to let off some steam at the weekend when they thumped second-tier Norwich City 4-0 in the FA Cup.

Ipswich supporters would no doubt have had smiles on their faces as they saw Saturday’s result from Carrow Road roll in and their weekend was made even better the following day as Kieran McKenna’s side eased past Bristol Rovers to progress to the fourth round.

Recent signs suggest that Ipswich will not go down without a fight this season. They secured their first home win of the league campaign against Chelsea to round off 2024 and were denied a win at Fulham by a Raul Jimenez penalty in stoppage time last time out.

Here is 90 min guide to Thursday’s Premier League clash.

Ipswich vs Brighton H2H results (last five matches)

Current form (all competitions)

The hosts are without a couple of key attacking players on Thursday, with Omari Hutchinson set for a short spell on the sidelines after missing Sunday’s win over Bristol Rovers with a groin injury. McKenna also won’t be able to call on Sammie Szmodics because of an ankle problem.

Ipswich have already lost Chiedozie Ogbene for the season after he tore his Achilles, while Axel Tuanzebe and Conor Chaplin are also absent.

Liam Delap has been Ipswich’s star this season and he will lead the Tractor Boys’ line at Portman Road on Thursday.

Ipswich predicted lineup against Brighton (5-2-3): Walton; Johnson, O’Shea, Woolfenden, Greaves, Davis; Morsy, Cajuste; Broadhead, Delap, Clarke.

There have been plenty of groans from north London regarding injury problems, but no team has been hit harder by forced absences than Brighton.

The Seagulls’ injury list remains extensive and they could be without nine first-team players on Thursday.

Joao Pedro is the latest casualty, with a rolled ankle that leaves his status for the next few games in doubt. Hurzeler also won’t have Ferdi Kadioglu, James Milner, Jack Hinshelwood and newcomer Diego Gomez available for this one.

Georginio Rutter and Yankuba Minteh are both doubts, but Lewis Dunk and Tariq Lamptey should be able to return. Danny Welbeck is also back in action, which comes as a big boost for the visitors.

Brighton predicted line-up against Ipswich (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen; Veltman, Dunk, Van Hecke, Estupinan; Baleba, Ayari; Gruda, Enciso, Mitoma; Welbeck.

It has been far too long since Brighton claimed victory in the Premier League and while Ipswich’s resilience deserves huge credit, they will struggle through Thursday’s game in the absence of Szmodic and Hutchinson – Delap’s impressive support acts.

Hurzeler’s side were ruthless at the weekend and letting off steam at Carrow Road should ease the tension on Thursday night. They may well enjoy trips to East Anglia and we could see Welbeck, following his return to the Premier League XI, inspire the visitors to a long-awaited triumph.

Prediction: Ipswich 1-3 Brighton

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