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**Meta Title:** Everton vs Ipswich Preview: EPL Prediction & Tips (03/05/25)

**Meta Description:** Get expert EPL predictions & betting tips for Everton vs Ipswich at Goodison Park (03/05/25). Analysis, team news, form guide & score prediction for this Premier League clash.

# Everton vs Ipswich Town: Premier League Match Preview, Predictions & Betting Tips

Get ready for a crucial late-season **English Premier League** fixture as **Everton** host **Ipswich Town** at the historic Goodison Park. This **EPL match preview** delves into the key factors, team news, and tactical analysis ahead of the clash scheduled for **Saturday, May 3rd, 2025, at 14:00 GMT (2:00 PM UK time)**. With Everton playing one of their final games at their beloved ground, expect an emotionally charged atmosphere. We provide **EPL predictions**, betting insights, and everything you need to know about this **Everton vs Ipswich** showdown.

## Match Prediction and Scoreline

**Predicted Score:** Everton 2 – 1 Ipswich Town

**Betting Insights & Probabilities:**

*   **Winner Odds (Estimated):** Everton (Win ~2.10), Draw (~3.50), Ipswich Town (Win ~3.80)
*   **Both Teams To Score (BTTS):** Yes (~1.75) - Both teams have shown defensive vulnerabilities but also possess attacking threats.
*   **Over/Under 2.5 Goals:** Over 2.5 (~1.90) - Expecting goals given recent form and potential defensive changes for Everton.
*   **Probability Breakdown (Estimated):** Everton Win: 45%, Draw: 30%, Ipswich Win: 25%

Everton's home advantage at Goodison Park, coupled with their secured Premier League status allowing for potentially less pressure, gives them the edge. However, Ipswich have shown they can grab results on the road. These **EPL betting tips** suggest a narrow home win is the most likely outcome, but Ipswich could certainly get on the scoresheet. Look for value in the **score predictions** market.

## Key Factors and Expected Outcome

Several elements will influence this **Premier League** encounter:

*   **Home Advantage & Goodison Farewell:** Everton are playing their penultimate league game at Goodison Park before moving to their new stadium. The atmosphere will be electric, potentially lifting the home side.
*   **Everton's Stability:** Under David Moyes, Everton secured safety earlier than in previous seasons, avoiding a late relegation scrap. This stability could allow for more expressive football, but also potentially less intensity if players' minds drift towards the summer.
*   **Tarkowski Injury:** The confirmed hamstring injury to key centre-back James Tarkowski is a significant blow for Everton. His absence disrupts a solid defensive partnership and forces Moyes into a reshuffle.
*   **Ipswich's Motivation:** Ipswich's recent form has been inconsistent. Their motivation level will be key – are they fighting for position, pride, or simply seeing out the season? Their performance against Chelsea (2-2 draw) shows they can compete.
*   **Moyes' Approach:** David Moyes will demand professionalism and likely use these final games to assess players like Nathan Patterson, Jake O'Brien (potentially at CB), and Youssef Chermiti ahead of the summer transfer window.
*   **Away Form:** Ipswich's ability to travel and perform will be tested. Their recent away win at Bournemouth shows capability, but losses at Arsenal and Wolves highlight inconsistency.

The **expected EPL outcome** leans towards Everton leveraging the home crowd and Moyes' structured approach, but Tarkowski's absence makes them more vulnerable defensively, opening the door for Ipswich.

## Recent Team Form and Key Players to Watch

### Everton

*   **Last 6 Premier League Matches:** L W D L D D (Mixed form, 6 points from 18)
    *   Apr 19: Everton 0-2 Man City (H) - L
    *   Apr 12: Nottingham Forest 0-1 Everton (A) - W
    *   Apr 5: Everton 1-1 Arsenal (H) - D
    *   Apr 2: Liverpool 1-0 Everton (A) - L
    *   Mar 15: Everton 1-1 West Ham (H) - D
    *   Mar 8: Wolves 1-1 Everton (A) - D
*   **Injuries/Suspensions:**
    *   James Tarkowski (Hamstring - OUT)
    *   Armando Broja (Ineligible vs parent club Chelsea, but available here - though likely benched for Beto)
*   **Key Players:**
    *   **Jordan Pickford (GK):** Crucial saves and distribution.
    *   **Jarrad Branthwaite (CB):** Stepping up as the senior centre-back in Tarkowski's absence. Key defensively and a set-piece threat.
    *   **Iliman Ndiaye (AM/W):** Everton's most exciting attacker this season. Needs to add consistency but capable of moments of magic.
    *   **Beto (ST):** Likely to return to the starting lineup. Provides a physical presence upfront.
*   **Players to Watch:**
    *   **Jake O'Brien:** Could shift to centre-back, offering a chance to impress in his natural position.
    *   **Nathan Patterson:** May get a run at right-back if O'Brien moves centrally. Offers attacking potential.
    *   **Youssef Chermiti:** Needs minutes to prove his worth ahead of next season.

### Ipswich Town

*   **Last 6 Premier League Matches:** L D L W L W (Inconsistent, 7 points from 18)
    *   Apr 20: Ipswich 0-4 Arsenal (H) - L
    *   Apr 13: Chelsea 2-2 Ipswich (A) - D
    *   Apr 5: Ipswich 1-2 Wolves (H) - L
    *   Apr 2: Bournemouth 1-2 Ipswich (A) - W
    *   Mar 15: Ipswich 2-4 Nottingham Forest (H) - L
    *   Mar 8: Crystal Palace 1-0 Ipswich (A) - W (*Note: This result seems incorrect based on the article mentioning Palace won 1-0 vs Ipswich on Mar 8th. Assuming the article is correct, Ipswich's last 6 is L D L W L L*)
    *   *Corrected Last 6 based on Article 28:* L D L W L L (4 points from 18)
*   **Injuries/Suspensions:** Check closer to matchday for latest **Ipswich injury updates**.
*   **Key Players:** (General based on recent results)
    *   Need attackers who can exploit Everton's potential defensive gap.
    *   Midfield needs to be competitive against Everton's likely trio (e.g., Doucoure, Garner, Onana/Gomes).
    *   Defence must handle Beto's physicality and Ndiaye's creativity.

## Tactical Preview

*   **Everton (Likely Formation: 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3):**
    *   David Moyes prioritises defensive structure and organisation.
    *   The loss of Tarkowski forces a change. Expect **Jarrad Branthwaite** to partner either **Michael Keane** or, more likely for future planning, **Jake O'Brien**.
    *   If O'Brien moves centrally, **Nathan Patterson** could start at right-back, potentially offering more attacking width than Seamus Coleman or Ashley Young.
    *   Midfield likely features Abdoulaye Doucoure's energy, potentially alongside James Garner and Amadou Onana/Andre Gomes for control.
    *   **Iliman Ndiaye** could operate wide or centrally behind the striker, aiming to link play and create chances. **Dwight McNeil** provides width and set-piece delivery from the left.
    *   **Beto** is expected to lead the line, acting as a focal point.
*   **Ipswich Town (Potential Formation: 4-2-3-1 / 4-4-2):**
    *   Likely to adopt a pragmatic approach away from home.
    *   May look to sit relatively deep and hit Everton on the counter-attack, testing the new centre-back partnership.
    *   Focus will be on denying space to Ndiaye and McNeil.
    *   Winning the **midfield battle** will be crucial to disrupt Everton's rhythm.
*   **Key Tactical Battles:**
    *   **Branthwaite/O'Brien vs. Ipswich Striker(s):** Can Everton's reshuffled defence cope?
    *   **Ndiaye vs. Ipswich Holding Midfielder/Defence:** Can Ipswich nullify Everton's main creative spark?
    *   **Everton Full-backs vs. Ipswich Wingers:** Particularly if Patterson plays, can Everton balance defence and attack down the flanks?

This **EPL tactical analysis** points towards a game potentially decided by how well Everton adapt defensively and whether Ipswich can exploit any uncertainty.

## Summary and Key Takeaways

This **Premier League** fixture at Goodison Park promises emotion and intrigue. Everton, buoyed by home support in one of their final games at the stadium and having secured safety, are slight favourites. However, the absence of James Tarkowski is a major factor that Ipswich Town will look to exploit.

*   **Prediction:** Everton 2-1 Ipswich Town.
*   **Key Factors:** Goodison farewell, Tarkowski injury, Moyes' assessment of squad players.
*   **Betting Angles:** Everton Win, Both Teams To Score (Yes), Over 2.5 Goals.
*   **Fantasy Football Tips:**
    *   **Iliman Ndiaye (EVE):** High potential for attacking returns (goals/assists).
    *   **Jarrad Branthwaite (EVE):** Key defender, bonus point potential, set-piece threat.
    *   **Beto (EVE):** Likely starter upfront, could grab a goal. Consider him if looking for a differential striker.

Expect a competitive **football** match. Everton's desire to give Goodison Park a positive send-off, combined with Moyes' tactical discipline, should see them edge out an inconsistent Ipswich side, though a clean sheet might be unlikely given the defensive changes. Look for a potentially tight contest, possibly decided in the second half.