Verdict: Manchester City win to nil

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Luckster

Looking to make it back-to-back Premier League victories this weekend, Manchester City will welcome Ipswich to the Etihad on Saturday afternoon.

Manchester City

Starting with the hosts, while Manchester City might have relinquished their maiden Champions League crown last season, Pep Guardiola’s side made even more domestic history. Becoming the first club in Premier League history to secure four consecutive top-flight titles, the former Barcelona boss once again finds his squad pencilled in as a standout contender this time around. Getting proceedings underway with a dominant display away at Stamford Bridge last weekend as they secured a 2-0 victory against Chelsea, the Sky Blues will certainly be smelling a golden opportunity here. In fact, along with not suffering a single Premier League defeat at the Etihad throughout 2024, City have also won each of their previous 10 top-flight appearances on either side of the summer break.

Team News

While midfield talisman Rodri might have missed out away at Stamford Bridge last weekend, Man City are hopeful that the former Atletico Madrid star can return to Guardiola’s squad here. However, set for a lengthy stint on the sidelines after sustaining a fractured leg earlier in the month, Oscar Bobb will not feature over the next few months.

Opening his Premier League account with a goal away at Chelsea last week, striking sensation Erling Haaland will lead Guardiola’s charge at the Etihad. Putting in an eye-catching display on his City debut last week, summer recruit Savinho will partner Haaland in the final third.

Ipswich Town

As for the visitors, embarking on what was a public Championship fairytale last season as they stormed their way to a famous Premier League return, Ipswich have a real party atmosphere in their camp. However, although Kieran McKenna’s men might have continued to receive a string of plaudits, the Blues simply have their sights set on keeping hold of their top-flight status this time around. Getting proceedings underway with a 2-0 defeat at home against Liverpool last weekend, the former Manchester United coach will be bracing himself for a monumental challenge here. Pencilled in as a landslide underdog at the Etihad on Saturday afternoon, Ipswich will be hoping to find some defensive resolve. Continuing on from last season, McKenna’s side have recorded just two clean sheets from any of their previous eight competitive appearances.

Team News

All still dealing with respective injury issues, Ipswich will once again be without the trio of Harrison Clarke, George Hirst and Wales international Nathan Broadhead this weekend. Arriving from Manchester City on a season-long loan deal this summer, Kalvin Phillips is not able to feature against his parent club here.

Making the move from Hull last month for a reported fee in the region of £20million, Jacob Greaves will partner Luke Woolfenden at the heart of Ipswich’s defence on Saturday afternoon. Ex-City starlet Liam Delap should be handed the chance to spearhead McKenna’s attack.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Ipswich and Manchester City last met back in January 2002, the Sky Blues collected a 4-1 victory at Portman Road.
• Continuing on from last season, Manchester City have won all of their previous 10 Premier League appearances.
• Man City have not suffered a single domestic defeat at the Etihad throughout 2024.
• Ipswich have recorded just a pair of clean sheets from any of their eight competitive appearances on either side of the summer break.
• Finding the net at Stamford Bridge last week, Erling Haaland has recorded 91 goals in his 100 Premier League appearances.

Conclusion

Getting proceedings underway with a 2-0 victory away at Chelsea last weekend, Manchester City will certainly be smelling a golden opportunity here. While Ipswich might be excited by a trip to the defending champions on Saturday afternoon, Guardiola’s men are rightfully pencilled in as a landslide contender at the Etihad. Two sides who are expected to be scrapping it out at opposite ends of the table this season, it is almost impossible to see anything other than a routine home victory in the blue half of Manchester.

Verdict: Manchester City win to nil

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Luckster