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**Meta Title:** Everton vs Ipswich Prediction & Preview | EPL Tips 03/05

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

# Everton vs Ipswich Town: Premier League Match Preview, Prediction & Betting Tips (03/05/2025)

The Premier League action continues as Everton prepare to host the already-relegated Ipswich Town at Goodison Park. This crucial EPL fixture kicks off on **Saturday, May 3rd, 2025, at 14:00 GMT (02:00 PM UK time)**. For Everton, it's a chance to bounce back from recent defeats and build momentum towards the season's end, while for Ipswich, it's about playing for pride in one of their final top-flight matches for the foreseeable future. This analysis provides EPL predictions, betting insights, team news, and tactical breakdowns for this intriguing football encounter. Adding extra poignancy, this marks one of the final Saturday afternoon kick-offs at the historic Goodison Park before Everton's stadium move.

## Everton vs Ipswich: Match Prediction and Scoreline

**Predicted Score:** Everton 2 – 0 Ipswich Town

Based on current form, team morale, and home advantage, Everton are tipped to secure the victory. Ipswich's confirmed relegation and subsequent heavy defeats suggest their confidence is low, while Everton, despite recent losses to top sides, have more quality and motivation playing in front of their home fans.

### Betting Insights & Probabilities

*   **Winner Odds:** Everton are strong favourites to win. Ipswich Town represent a significant long shot, with a draw also looking unlikely given the circumstances.
*   **Both Teams To Score (BTTS):** 'No' seems the more probable outcome. Ipswich have struggled offensively, failing to score in recent heavy losses, and Everton will fancy their chances of a clean sheet against a demoralised attack.
*   **Over/Under 2.5 Goals:** Leaning towards **Under 2.5 goals**. While Everton won the reverse fixture 2-0, their recent set-piece struggles (as admitted by Moyes) and potential absence of a fully fit Calvert-Lewin might limit the scoreline. Ipswich are unlikely to contribute much offensively.
*   **Probability Breakdown (Estimated):**
    *   Everton Win: 65%
    *   Draw: 20%
    *   Ipswich Win: 15%

*Keywords: EPL betting tips, Premier League predictions, score predictions, Everton vs Ipswich odds, football betting.*

## Key Factors and Expected Outcome: EPL Clash at Goodison Park

Several key match factors will likely determine the flow and result of this Premier League fixture:

### H3: Home Advantage and Motivation

*   **Goodison Park Factor:** Playing at home, especially in one of the final fixtures at the iconic ground, should provide Everton with a significant boost. The atmosphere generated by the home support, acknowledged by Moyes for their efforts, will be palpable.
*   **Motivation Levels:** Everton, under David Moyes, still have positional prize money to play for and will want to finish the season strongly, potentially crossing the 40-point mark. Moyes is demanding standards remain high. Conversely, Ipswich's relegation is confirmed, and their players are described as "low on confidence," likely impacting their motivation for this away trip.

### H3: Team Morale and Form

*   **Everton:** The Toffees have suffered consecutive defeats against Manchester City and Chelsea. While disappointing, these were against top-tier opposition. Moyes noted the players remain positive in training.
*   **Ipswich:** The Tractor Boys are enduring a torrid end to their Premier League return. Relegation confirmation coupled with heavy defeats (3-0 vs Newcastle, 4-0 vs Arsenal) points to rock-bottom morale.

### H3: Injuries and Suspensions

*   **Everton:** James Tarkowski is out for the season. Dominic Calvert-Lewin (DCL) is back in training after a long layoff (hamstring) but lacks match fitness and is unlikely to start, though a bench role is possible. Dwight McNeil is fit and pushing for a start, which would be a creative boost. Jesurun Lindstrom remains sidelined.
*   **Ipswich:** A significant blow comes with the suspension of defender Benjamin Johnson following his red card against Newcastle. This further weakens a defence that has been leaking goals.

### H3: Managerial Influence

*   **David Moyes (Everton):** Focused on maintaining standards and assessing his squad for the future. He's been critical of recent performances, particularly set-piece delivery, demanding improvement. He may use the remaining games to give opportunities to fringe players like Carlos Alcaraz, who has impressed as a substitute.
*   **Kieran McKenna (Ipswich):** A highly-rated young manager, admired by Moyes, but facing the difficult task of lifting a relegated squad for the final fixtures. His tactical approach might be compromised by low confidence and key absences.

*Keywords: key match factors, expected EPL outcome, Goodison Park atmosphere, Everton motivation, Ipswich relegation, David Moyes tactics, Kieran McKenna, team news.*

## Recent Team Form and Key Players to Watch

### H3: Everton Recent Form (Premier League - Last 5)

*   Chelsea 1-0 **Everton** (A) - L
*   **Everton** 0-2 Manchester City (H) - L
*   Nottingham Forest 0-1 **Everton** (A) - W
*   **Everton** 1-1 Arsenal (H) - D
*   Liverpool 1-0 **Everton** (A) - L
    *   *Summary: L L W D L - A tough run of fixtures, needing a win here.*

### H3: Ipswich Town Recent Form (Premier League - Last 5)

*   Newcastle United 3-0 **Ipswich** (A) - L
*   **Ipswich** 0-4 Arsenal (H) - L
*   Chelsea 2-2 **Ipswich** (A) - D
*   **Ipswich** 1-2 Wolves (H) - L
*   Bournemouth 1-2 **Ipswich** (A) - W
    *   *Summary: L L D L W - Relegation confirmed, heavy defeats highlight struggles.*

### H3: Everton Team News and Key Players

*   **Injuries/Fitness:** Tarkowski (Out), Lindstrom (Out), Calvert-Lewin (Major Doubt/Bench at best).
*   **Potential Changes:** Dwight McNeil likely to start, offering width and creativity. Moyes might rotate slightly to assess options like Alcaraz.
*   **Key Player to Watch: Abdoulaye Doucouré:** The energetic midfielder (highlighted in source analysis) will be crucial in driving Everton forward and winning the midfield battle. His box-to-box presence could unsettle Ipswich.
*   **Also Watch: Dwight McNeil:** If he starts, his delivery (despite Moyes' general criticism of set pieces) and ability to beat a man could unlock the Ipswich defence.

*Keywords: Everton latest form, Ipswich Town form, Everton injury updates, Dominic Calvert-Lewin fitness, Dwight McNeil, Abdoulaye Doucouré, Premier League player stats.*

### H3: Ipswich Town Team News and Key Players

*   **Suspension:** Benjamin Johnson (Out) - Key central defender missing.
*   **Injuries:** No other major fresh concerns reported in provided sources.
*   **Key Player to Watch:** Difficult to pinpoint due to poor form and low morale. Focus might be on collective defensive shape. Perhaps watch for any youngsters given a chance by McKenna. The absence of Johnson puts immense pressure on the remaining defenders.
*   **Potential Transfer Target?:** Everton have reportedly shown interest in Ipswich striker Liam Delap, though his impact this season has been limited amidst the team's struggles. *[Note: Source info on Delap link needs verification, but included per instructions].*

*Keywords: Ipswich injury updates, Benjamin Johnson suspension, EPL team news.*

## Tactical Preview: Everton vs Ipswich Town

### H3: Likely Formations and Style of Play

*   **Everton:** David Moyes is likely to stick with a variation of a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3. Expect a focus on defensive solidity first, but with an onus to attack more proactively at home against relegated opposition. They will look to utilise width through players like McNeil if he starts. A major area for improvement identified by Moyes is their set-piece delivery, labelled "rubbish" and "really, really poor."
*   **Ipswich Town:** Kieran McKenna might opt for a more defensive setup (e.g., 5-4-1 or a compact 4-5-1) to try and contain Everton and limit damage, especially away from home and without Johnson. Their play will likely rely on hopeful counter-attacks or moments of individual quality, which have been scarce recently. Confidence issues may hinder their ability to press effectively or retain possession.

*Keywords: EPL tactical analysis, formation breakdown, possession strategies, Everton tactics, Ipswich game plan, David Moyes formation.*

### H3: Key Tactical Battles

*   **Everton's Attack vs. Ipswich's Makeshift Defence:** Can Everton's forwards (likely led by Doucouré's runs from midfield and potentially McNeil's creativity) exploit the gap left by Johnson's suspension in the Ipswich backline?
*   **Midfield Control:** The battle between Everton's central midfielders (Doucouré, Onana/Gueye) and Ipswich's engine room will be key. Dominance here should allow Everton to dictate the tempo.
*   **Everton's Wide Play vs. Ipswich Full-Backs:** If McNeil and another winger (e.g., Harrison) start, their ability to get crosses in or cut inside could be Everton's main route to goal, testing the Ipswich full-backs.

*Keywords: key tactical battles, midfield showdown, defensive strategies, attacking threats.*

## Summary, Key Takeaways, and Fantasy Football Tips

This Premier League fixture presents Everton with a prime opportunity to return to winning ways against a relegated and demoralised Ipswich Town side missing a key defender. While Everton haven't been prolific recently and have their own issues (set pieces, DCL fitness), the combination of home advantage, greater motivation, and superior quality should see them through.

**Key Takeaways & Betting Angles:**

*   Everton are strong favourites for the win.
*   An Everton clean sheet ('Win to Nil' or BTTS 'No') looks a solid bet.
*   Under 2.5 goals is probable given both teams' recent attacking outputs.

**Fantasy Football Tips:**

*   **Everton Defence/Goalkeeper:** Jordan Pickford and Everton defenders (consider Mykolenko, Patterson/Coleman) are good shouts for clean sheet points.
*   **Dwight McNeil (EVE):** If confirmed starting, he offers strong potential for assists and possibly goals against a weak defence.
*   **Abdoulaye Doucouré (EVE):** Offers potential for goals/assists from midfield runs and general FPL points (tackles, passes).
*   **Avoid Ipswich Players:** Given their form, confirmed relegation, and low confidence, investing in Ipswich assets is highly risky.

**Final Thought:** Expect Everton to dominate possession and territory at Goodison Park. While they might take time to break Ipswich down, especially if DCL isn't fully fit, their persistence should pay off. Look for a controlled performance leading to a comfortable, albeit potentially unspectacular, home victory. The Goodison faithful will expect nothing less in one of their final Saturday afternoons at the Grand Old Lady.

*Keywords: EPL match preview summary, fantasy football tips, Premier League fantasy picks, Everton clean sheet, betting angles.*