Ipswich Town vs Manchester City Prediction 19.01.2025 | EPL

• Competition: England - Premier League
• Date: Sunday, 19th, January 2025
• Kickoff: 16:30 UK / 17.30 CET
• Venue: Portman Road (Ipswich)

The Premier League Sunday schedule will be concluded with an intriguing matchup at Portman Road, where newly-promoted Ipswich will host a faltering Manchester City.

Like true 'Santa Claus,' Ipswich Town gave their faithful supporters the perfect holiday gift by thrashing Chelsea 2-0, marking the end of 2024 in the most spectacular way with goals from Delap and Hutchinson that sealed a stunning victory. It hasn't been an admirable start to the new year though, with the Tractor Boys earning just one out of a possible six points from their opening two league fixtures, while a two-goal setback against Brighton Hove & Albion in midweek has left them in the drop zone based on goals scored.

In contrast, Manchester City definitely carries the epithet of one of the biggest surprises in a negative connotation this season, and no one could have guessed that the four-time English champion would be fighting for results on all fronts, especially domestically. With a subpar 35 points on the board from 21 games, Guardiola's faltering side are only sixth, a massive 12-point deficit to table-toppers Liverpool, suggesting that the Premier League crown may be slipping away after four years of supremacy at the Etihad.

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City Betting Tips: BTTS

While the role of favorite clearly belongs to the Citizens, as they continue to search for their true championship form, we believe it's safer to back goals on both sides, as we foresee an entertaining game at Portsmouth Road. One of Man City's biggest shortcomings this season has been their lack of discipline at the back, which was on full display in Tuesday's action when they squandered a two-goal lead in the late stages to draw 2-2 with Brentford, thus dropping huge points as they chase return to the top four of the Premier League. In away matches, the Citizens' defensive lapses are even more noticeable, as they have been able to earn just three shutouts in 15 visits across all tournaments this term, and letting in two or more goals in 10 of their last 11 road fixtures. After all, the interesting trend of Ipswich having rattled Man City's net in all eight previous matchups played at their Portman Road should be noted, and we imagine that the Tractor Boys can rediscover the vulnerable rearguard of Guardiola's side, leading us to expect an attractive affair with goals at both ends.