Ipswich vs Liverpool Prediction: Preview and Betting Tips

Portman Road hosts a fascinating Premier League clash on 4 September 2026 as newly established top-flight side Ipswich welcome Liverpool for Matchday 3. Ipswich have started the campaign with one win and one defeat, sitting mid-table but already showing they can score and make life uncomfortable for bigger names. Liverpool, meanwhile, arrive unbeaten but frustrated after back-to-back draws, needing a first league win to kick-start their season.

With both teams averaging 2.0 goals scored per game so far and no clean sheets between them, this fixture shapes up as one of the more intriguing attacking matchups of the early Premier League schedule. Bettors looking for Ipswich vs Liverpool predictions, Premier League betting tips, and insights on likely lineups will find plenty of data pointing towards an open contest in Suffolk.

Beyond the early table, there is also recent history: Liverpool beat Ipswich twice in the 2024 Premier League season, including a 4-1 victory at Anfield and a 2-0 success at Portman Road. Ipswich will be desperate to show that this is a different campaign and that their home ground can become a genuine fortress against elite opposition.

Ipswich vs Liverpool Key Stats

• Ipswich have taken 3 points from their first 2 Premier League matches, scoring 4 and conceding 6.
• Liverpool have won the last two meetings, 4-1 at Anfield on 25 January 2025 and 2-0 at Portman Road on 17 August 2024.
• Across their 2 league games this season, both Ipswich and Liverpool are averaging 2.0 goals scored per match, but Ipswich are conceding 3.0 per game compared to Liverpool’s 2.0.

Ipswich vs Liverpool — Tale of the Tape

• Position: 12 vs 13
• Points: 3 vs 2
• Goals For: 4 vs 4
• Goals Against: 6 vs 4
• Clean Sheets: Ipswich 0, Liverpool 0 (tournament statistics)

After two rounds, Ipswich sit 12th with 3 points from 2 matches. They have been entertaining but vulnerable: 4 goals scored and 6 conceded highlight both their attacking intent and defensive fragility. A 2-1 home win is their standout result so far, but a 5-2 away defeat shows how quickly games can slip away from them.

Liverpool are one place below in 13th with 2 points, having drawn both of their opening fixtures. They have scored 4 and conceded 4, suggesting balance but also a lack of control at key moments. While the table is still embryonic, Liverpool’s expectations demand that they turn these draws into wins quickly, especially against newly promoted or mid-table opponents.

Ipswich vs Liverpool Key Matchups

J. Enciso vs C. Gakpo

Julio César Enciso has quickly become a creative hub for Ipswich. In 2 appearances and 161 minutes, the midfielder has produced 2 assists, underlining his role as the primary chance creator. He has attempted 5 shots (1 on target), completed 47 passes at an impressive 85% accuracy, and contributed defensively with 2 tackles and 1 interception. His 11 dribble attempts with 6 successes show he is willing to take on defenders and break lines.

For Liverpool, Cody Gakpo has been the standout attacking midfielder so far. In 2 appearances and 161 minutes, he has 1 goal and 1 assist, with 3 shots (1 on target) and 51 passes at 78% accuracy. He has also created 5 key passes, matching his reputation as both scorer and provider. Gakpo’s 3 tackles and 4 interceptions hint at a strong work rate out of possession as well.

This duel between Enciso’s creativity for Ipswich and Gakpo’s all-round influence for Liverpool could define the rhythm of the match. If Enciso can find pockets between Liverpool’s lines, Ipswich will create chances; if Gakpo dominates the half-spaces at the other end, Liverpool’s attack should click into gear.

Emersonn vs Víctor Muñoz

Emersonn has started both league games for Ipswich in attack, playing 111 minutes. He already has 1 goal from 3 shots (2 on target) and has shown directness with 3 key passes and a solid 76% pass accuracy. Winning 8 of 18 duels and completing both of his dribble attempts, he offers a blend of physicality and technical threat in the final third.

Víctor Muñoz has emerged as a lively attacking option for Liverpool. In 2 appearances (1 start) and 117 minutes, he has scored 1 goal from 3 shots (1 on target). His 26 passes at 76% accuracy are backed by defensive work: 2 tackles, 1 block and 3 interceptions. He has also attempted 5 dribbles, winning 7 of 18 duels, and drawn 4 fouls, showing how troublesome he can be for defenders.

Both Emersonn and Muñoz are young, energetic forwards who press aggressively and attack space. Whichever of them finds more joy against the opposition back line may tilt the momentum in a game where both defences have looked far from watertight.

Head-to-Head: Last Meetings

Recent head-to-head meetings have been dominated by Liverpool, who have handled Ipswich comfortably home and away in the Premier League over the past couple of seasons.

• 25 January 2025: Liverpool 4-1 Ipswich (Premier League)
• 17 August 2024: Ipswich 0-2 Liverpool (Premier League)

Ipswich vs Liverpool Prediction

Stats suggest a high-tempo game with chances at both ends. Ipswich’s league form (one win, one loss) and their 2.0 goals per game show they can threaten even stronger opponents, especially at Portman Road. However, their 3.0 goals conceded on average and heavy 5-2 away defeat underline defensive issues that a team of Liverpool’s attacking quality can exploit.

Liverpool’s two draws so far mask some promising attacking numbers: 4 goals scored, 2.0 per game, and a spread of contributions from Gakpo, Muñoz and others. Defensively, they have yet to keep a clean sheet, conceding 4, but their goals against average (2.0) is still significantly better than Ipswich’s. The comparison model leans slightly towards Liverpool overall, and the head-to-head record is strongly in their favour.

The prediction probabilities underline how tight this could be: Ipswich are given a 10% chance of victory, with both the draw and a Liverpool win rated at 45%. That points towards a strong expectation that Liverpool avoid defeat, but also a substantial risk of another stalemate.

Predicted Score: Ipswich 1-2 Liverpool

Ipswich Recent Form

Ipswich’s recent form in the Premier League can be summarised as one win and one defeat from their opening two matches. They have been potent in attack with 4 goals, but the 6 conceded highlight a tendency to be exposed, especially in key periods of matches. Their biggest win so far is a 2-1 home success, while a 5-2 away loss shows how quickly games can unravel if they lose control in midfield and at the back.

Liverpool Recent Form

Liverpool have drawn both of their first two league fixtures, leaving them unbeaten but still searching for a first win. With 4 goals scored and 4 conceded, their matches have been open and competitive, but they have not yet found the clinical edge needed to turn dominance into three points. A streak of two consecutive draws underlines both resilience and a slight lack of ruthlessness in closing out games.

Ipswich Possible Starting Lineup

GK: A. Palmer or D. Button; Defenders: L. Davis, I. Diop, C. Kipré, D. Furlong; Midfielders: J. Enciso, Florentino, A. Matusiwa, A. Fatawu; Forwards: Emersonn, C. Akpom.

Ipswich have consistently used a 4-2-3-1 shape in their early fixtures, and the squad profile supports a similar setup again. J. Enciso and A. Fatawu offer creativity and dribbling from midfield, while Emersonn and C. Akpom provide direct goal threat up front. With no clean sheets yet and 6 goals conceded, the back four of L. Davis, I. Diop, C. Kipré and D. Furlong will be under pressure to tighten up against Liverpool’s movement and pace.

Liverpool Possible Starting Lineup

GK: Alisson Becker; Defenders: V. van Dijk, R. Araújo, M. Kerkez, J. Gomez; Midfielders: W. Endo, A. Mac Allister, F. Wirtz, R. Gravenberch; Forwards: C. Gakpo, VÍctor Muñoz or A. Isak.

Liverpool have also lined up in a 4-2-3-1 system in their opening games, and the squad composition points towards a similar structure here. V. van Dijk’s leadership at the back alongside R. Araújo should be key in dealing with Ipswich’s direct runners. In midfield, W. Endo and A. Mac Allister can provide balance, while F. Wirtz and R. Gravenberch add creativity and ball progression. Up front, C. Gakpo is likely to be central to their attacking play, with support from either VÍctor Muñoz or a more traditional striker like A. Isak.

Ipswich Team News

No significant absences reported.

Liverpool Team News

No significant absences reported.

Injuries & Suspensions

Ipswich:

• None reported.

Liverpool:

• None reported.

Betting Tips: Ipswich vs Liverpool

Exactly 3 distinct tips from different markets:

• Result Tip: Back Liverpool to win. The predictions give Ipswich only a 10% chance of victory, with Liverpool and the draw both at 45%, and Liverpool have won the last two head-to-head meetings comfortably. The market strongly agrees: away odds range from 1.57 to 1.68, implying an approximate winning probability between about 59.5% (1 ÷ 1.68 × 100) and 63.7% (1 ÷ 1.57 × 100). That makes Liverpool clear favourites despite their two opening draws.
• Goals Tip: Over 1.5 total goals. Both teams average 2.0 goals scored per game, and neither has kept a clean sheet in 2 matches (Ipswich have conceded 6, Liverpool 4). Recent head-to-heads finished 4-1 and 2-0 to Liverpool, also clearing this line. The prediction advice specifically leans towards “+1.5 goals”, and while exact over/under odds are not listed, this market is strongly supported by the attacking and defensive numbers.
• Value Tip: Liverpool win & both teams to score (BTTS – Yes) as a higher-risk option. Ipswich have scored in both of their league games and boast in-form attackers like Emersonn and C. Akpom, plus creator J. Enciso with 2 assists. Liverpool’s defence has yet to record a clean sheet, but their attacking leaders C. Gakpo (1 goal, 1 assist) and Víctor Muñoz (1 goal) give them a strong chance of outscoring Ipswich. With the 1X2 away price around 1.57–1.68, combining a Liverpool win with BTTS should offer a more attractive return for those seeking extra value.

Odds are accurate at the time of writing and subject to change. Please gamble responsibly.