Everton vs Ipswich

Saturday, May 3, 2025 at 2:00 PM UTC

Match Analysis

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Meta Title: Everton vs Ipswich Prediction: EPL Preview & Betting Tips (May 3)

Meta Description: Get expert EPL predictions & betting tips for Everton vs Ipswich at Goodison Park (May 3). Team news, form analysis, and score prediction for this Premier League clash.

Everton vs Ipswich: Premier League Match Preview, Predictions & EPL Tips (May 3, 2025)

Get ready for a significant English Premier League encounter as Everton host the already relegated Ipswich Town at the historic Goodison Park. This EPL fixture kicks off on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at 14:00 GMT (3:00 PM UK time). With Everton looking to give their iconic home ground a proper send-off in its final matches and Ipswich playing only for pride, this game presents intriguing angles for fans and bettors alike. Read on for our full match preview, EPL predictions, and football betting tips.

Everton vs Ipswich: Match Prediction, Scoreline & Betting Insights

Predicted Score: Everton 2 – 0 Ipswich Town

Betting Insights & Probabilities:

  • Match Winner Odds (Approximate): Everton are strong favourites given home advantage and Ipswich's confirmed relegation and extensive absentee list.
    • Everton Win: High Probability (Likely around 1.40 - 1.60)
    • Draw: Medium Probability (Likely around 4.00 - 4.50)
    • Ipswich Win: Low Probability (Likely around 6.00 - 8.00)
  • Both Teams To Score (BTTS): 'No' seems a likely outcome. Everton's strength under Moyes has often been defensive solidity (despite recent lapses), and Ipswich are heavily depleted, particularly in attack.
  • Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Leaning towards Under 2.5 goals. Everton haven't been prolific, and Ipswich may struggle to contribute significantly to the scoreline.
  • Probability Breakdown (Estimated):
    • Everton Win: 65%
    • Draw: 20%
    • Ipswich Win: 15%

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Key Factors Shaping the Everton vs Ipswich EPL Clash

Several key elements will influence the outcome of this Premier League fixture:

  • Everton's Motivation & Home Advantage: Playing one of the final games at Goodison Park provides significant emotional motivation for Everton. David Moyes will demand a strong performance to finish the season positively and build momentum towards the Bramley-Moore Dock move. The home crowd will be passionate.
  • Ipswich's Situation: Having been mathematically relegated after a tough return to the top flight following back-to-back promotions, Ipswich are playing solely for pride. This can sometimes free teams up, but morale is likely low, compounded by severe availability issues.
  • Team Form:
    • Everton: Are in a "rough patch," securing just one victory in their last nine Premier League matches (Article 3). They lost 1-0 at Chelsea and 2-0 at home to Man City in their last two outings.
    • Ipswich: Form is understandably poor, with only four wins all season. They were defeated 3-0 by Newcastle last time out.
  • Injuries and Suspensions: This is a critical factor.
    • Everton: Suffer a massive blow with key defender and leader James Tarkowski ruled out for the season (hamstring). Striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin also remains sidelined, alongside Orel Mangala and Jesper Lindstrom.
    • Ipswich: Face a crisis with numerous key players unavailable due to injury (Muric, Townsend, Burns, Philogene, Ogbene, Szmodics) and suspension (Davis, Johnson). Several others are questionable (Tuanzebe, Phillips, Broadhead).
  • Managerial Strategy: Moyes needs a reaction after recent results and criticism following the Chelsea defeat regarding unforced errors and lack of cutting edge (Article 12). He'll likely focus on defensive structure despite Tarkowski's absence. Ipswich's manager faces the challenge of fielding a competitive side with limited options.

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Recent Team Form, Injuries, and Key Players

Everton

  • Recent Form (Last 5 EPL): L-L-W-D-L
    • Chelsea 1-0 Everton (A)
    • Everton 0-2 Man City (H)
    • Nottm Forest 0-1 Everton (A)
    • Everton 1-1 Arsenal (H)
    • Liverpool 1-0 Everton (A)
  • Injuries/Suspensions:
    • James Tarkowski (CB) - Out (Hamstring)
    • Dominic Calvert-Lewin (ST) - Out (Hamstring)
    • Orel Mangala (MID) - Out (Injured)
    • Jesper Lindstrom (MID/FWD) - Out (Injured)
  • Key Players to Watch:
    • Jordan Pickford (GK): England's number one, consistently vital for Everton. His saves could be crucial if the defence is unsettled.
    • Jarrad Branthwaite (CB): Highly-rated young defender. Needs to step up as the senior figure in central defence alongside likely partner Jake O'Brien.
    • Jake O'Brien (CB/RB): Expected to partner Branthwaite centrally. A big opportunity for the Republic of Ireland international.
    • Iliman Ndiaye (AM): Called a "shining light" but needs to be less wasteful (Article 12). Offers creativity.
    • Armando Broja (ST): Predicted to return and potentially start. Offers a focal point in attack in DCL's absence.

Ipswich Town

  • Recent Form (Last 5 EPL): L-L-D-L-W
    • Newcastle 3-0 Ipswich (A)
    • Ipswich 0-4 Arsenal (H)
    • Chelsea 2-2 Ipswich (A)
    • Ipswich 1-2 Wolves (H)
    • Bournemouth 1-2 Ipswich (A)
  • Injuries/Suspensions (Extensive List):
    • Unavailable: Arijanet Muric (GK?), Leif Davis (DEF - Susp), Axel Tuanzebe (DEF - Quest.), Cameron Burgess (DEF?), Janoi Donacien (DEF?), Wes Burns (MID/FWD), Sam Morsy (MID - Capt?), Massimo Luongo (MID?), Conor Chaplin (MID/FWD?), Nathan Broadhead (FWD - Quest.), George Hirst (ST?), Kieffer Moore (ST?), Ali Al-Hamadi (ST?), Jeremy Sarmiento (FWD?), Omari Hutchinson (FWD?), Brandon Williams (DEF?), Vaclav Hladky (GK?), Christian Walton (GK?), Jack Taylor (MID?), Marcus Harness (MID/FWD?), Kayden Jackson (ST?), Dominic Ball (MID?), Panutche Camara (MID?), Elkan Baggott (DEF?), Corrie Ndaba (DEF?), Idris El Mizouni (MID?), Gassan Ahadme (ST?), Dane Scarlett (ST?), Sone Aluko (MID/FWD?), Lee Evans (MID?), Cameron Humphreys (MID?), Harry Clarke (DEF?), Luke Woolfenden (DEF?), George Edmundson (DEF?), Nathan Phillips (DEF - Quest.), Jens Cajuste (MID?), Julio Enciso (MID?), Liam Delap (ST?), Dara O'Shea (DEF?), Jacob Greaves (DEF?), Sammie Szmodics (MID/FWD - Top Scorer?), Chiedozie Ogbene (FWD?), Jaden Philogene (FWD?), Andros Townsend (FWD?), Ben Johnson (DEF - Susp).
    • Note: The provided snippets (Article 3) list specific key absences: Muric, Davis (Susp), Townsend, Johnson (Susp), Burns, Philogene, Ogbene, Szmodics. Questionable: Tuanzebe, Phillips, Broadhead. This severely weakens the team across all areas.
  • Key Players to Watch (Likely Available):
    • Sam Morsy (MID): Club captain, will need to lead by example in midfield if available.
    • Luke Woolfenden (CB): Experienced defender, faces a tough task against Everton's attack.
    • Omari Hutchinson (FWD): On loan attacker, may provide a rare spark if available.
    • Liam Delap (ST): Young striker, likely to lead the line but may lack service.

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Tactical Preview: Formations and Likely Game Plans

Everton (Likely 4-2-3-1)

  • Approach: Expect David Moyes to prioritize defensive organization, especially missing Tarkowski. The focus will be on maintaining shape, pressing triggers, and potentially hitting Ipswich on the counter-attack or through wide areas via Harrison and Ndiaye. Improving ball retention and set-piece effectiveness will be key aims after the Chelsea loss. The partnership between Branthwaite and O'Brien will be under scrutiny.
  • Key Focus: Leveraging home support, exploiting Ipswich's weaknesses, and providing service to Broja (or alternative striker).

Ipswich Town (Predicted 4-2-3-1, but flexible)

  • Approach: Given the extensive absences and confirmed relegation, Ipswich's game plan is uncertain. They might adopt a damage limitation approach, defending deep and compactly. Alternatively, they could play with more freedom, trying to express themselves without pressure. Realistically, they will likely struggle for cohesion and consistent attacking threat.
  • Key Focus: Maintaining defensive shape, working hard off the ball, and hoping for individual moments of quality from players like Hutchinson or Delap.

Key Tactical Battles

  • Branthwaite & O'Brien vs. Delap: Everton's new-look centre-back pairing needs to handle Ipswich's likely lone striker.
  • Everton Midfield (Garner/Gueye) vs. Ipswich Midfield (Morsy/Cajuste): Winning control in the middle third will be crucial for Everton to dictate play.
  • Everton's Wide Players vs. Ipswich Full-Backs: The likes of Ndiaye and Harrison need to provide the attacking spark against potentially makeshift or under-pressure defenders.

Keywords used: EPL tactical analysis, formation breakdown, possession strategies, counter-attack football, midfield battle, defensive structure.

Match Summary, Key Takeaways & Fantasy Football Tips

This Premier League match pits a motivated Everton side, seeking a positive result in one of Goodison Park's final games, against a heavily depleted and relegated Ipswich Town. Everton's recent form hasn't been stellar, and the loss of Tarkowski is significant, but Ipswich's extensive injury and suspension list makes the Toffees clear favourites at home.

Key Takeaways:

  • Everton are strong favourites to win.
  • Ipswich's numerous absences severely hamper their chances.
  • The Goodison Park atmosphere could play a role.
  • Expect Everton to control possession but potentially face a stubborn, if limited, opponent.

Betting Angles Recap:

  • Everton to Win.
  • Under 2.5 Goals.
  • Both Teams To Score - No.

Fantasy Football Tips:

  • Goalkeeper: Jordan Pickford (EVE) - High chance of a clean sheet against a weakened attack.
  • Defenders: Jarrad Branthwaite (EVE) - Potential for clean sheet points and maybe a set-piece goal. Vitaliy Mykolenko (EVE) could offer attacking returns. Avoid Ipswich defenders.
  • Midfielders: Iliman Ndiaye (EVE) or Jack Harrison (EVE) - Offer potential for assists or goals. Avoid Ipswich midfielders due to uncertainty and form.
  • Forwards: Armando Broja (EVE) - If confirmed starting, he's the most likely goal threat for Everton. Avoid Ipswich forwards.

Final Prediction: Expect Everton to secure a relatively comfortable, albeit potentially unspectacular, victory. Their quality, motivation, and home advantage, combined with Ipswich's dire availability situation, should prove decisive. Everton 2-0 Ipswich Town.

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