Arsenal hosts Ipswich in a Premier League clash on Friday night (December 28), with both teams facing contrasting fortunes. Arsenal, sitting 4th in the league and have been unbeaten under Mikel Arteta since the first week of November. The Gunners recently dominated Crystal Palace 5-1 away from home, with Gabriel Jesus scoring a brace. Last season’s runners-up are eyeing a title push.
Meanwhile, newly promoted Ipswich, struggling in 19th place, are fighting to avoid relegation. Despite challenges, Kieran McKenna’s side has claimed vital away wins against Tottenham and Wolves, but defensive issues persist. Ipswich’s last victory at Arsenal dates back to 1979, making this an uphill battle for them.
Premier League: Arsenal Team Analysis
Arsenal Recent Performance
Arsenal has shown impressive form, winning three and drawing two of their last five matches. They average 2.60 goals scored per match, conceding only 0.80 goals. A standout performance was their recent sweeping 5-1 victory over Crystal Palace.
| Home Team | Away Team | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Crystal Palace (Latest) | Arsenal | 1 – 5 (Win) |
| Arsenal | Crystal Palace | 3 – 2 (Win) |
| Arsenal | Everton | 0 – 0 (Draw) |
| Arsenal | Monaco | 3 – 0 (Win) |
| Fulham | Arsenal | 1 – 1 (Draw) |
Arsenal: Key Players
Kai Havertz shines as Arsenal’s top scorer with 6 goals, crucial to their attack. Martin Ødegaard leads in midfield, driving plays and setting up goals. Forward Gabriel Jesus adds to their attack, shining with a recent double against Crystal Palace.
Arsenal Suspensions & Injuries
Injuries have affected Arsenal’s depth, with Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu recovering from knee injuries, expected back by early 2025. Bukayo Saka faces a longer layoff due to a hamstring injury, sidelined until mid-February 2025.
| Player | Injury | Expected Return |
|---|---|---|
| Ben White | Knee injury | Late January 2025 |
| Takehiro Tomiyasu | Knee injury | Early January 2025 |
| Oleksandr Zinchenko | Knock injury | Doubtful |
| Bukayo Saka | Hamstring injury | Mid-February 2025 |
| Riccardo Calafiori | Knee injury | Doubtful |
| Declan Rice | Knock injury | Doubtful |
Arsenal Tactics and Formation
Arsenal typically employs a fluid 4-3-3 formation, focusing on possession and midfield control. Havertz and Martinelli are key in attack, with Ødegaard directing from midfield. Merino and Jurrien Timber play crucial roles both defensively and in advancing play. The defensive partnership of Gabriel Magalhães and William Saliba maintains stability, with David Raya in goal as a reliable defensive figure.
Ipswich Team Analysis
Ipswich Recent Performance
Ipswich finds consistency hard to come by, ranking 19th in the league. They’ve secured two wins in their last five games, losing the remainder. This includes a significant 4-0 loss to Newcastle.
| Home Team | Away Team | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Newcastle United (Latest) | Ipswich Town | 4 – 0 (Loss) |
| Wolverhampton | Ipswich Town | 0 – 1 (Win) |
| Tottenham | Ipswich Town | 1 – 2 (Win) |
| Manchester U | Ipswich Town | 1 – 1 (Draw) |
| Brighton | Ipswich Town | 1 – 2 (Loss) |
Ipswich Key Players
Liam Delap’s return from suspension is massive, as he is Ipswich’s leading scoring threat with 6 goals this season. Jack Taylor’s late-game impact is highlighted by his winning strike against Wolves.
Defensively, Axel Tuanzebe’s return bolsters Ipswich’s defence, although McKenna may adjust due to his fitness issues. Full-back Leif Davis is vital, key in both defense and offence. Captain Sam Morsey’s suspension dampens Ipswich’s tactical leadership, challenging McKenna to find resilient strategies.
Ipswich Suspensions & Injuries
| Player | Reason | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Sam Morsey | Suspension | Out due to suspension |
| George Hirst | Injury | Struggling with fitness |
| Axel Tuanzebe | Injury | Struggling with fitness |
| Liam Delap | Suspension | Returned from suspension |
Arsenal vs Ipswich Prediction & Betting Tip
Arsenal is expected to dominate this encounter given their better form and the advantage of playing at home. Arteta’s squad might deliver a high-margin victory, reminiscent of their emphatic 5-1 scoreline against Crystal Palace. Ipswich may bank on counter-attacks, but the result could be unavoidable for Ipswich Town.
| Bet | Odds |
|---|---|
| Arsenal to Win | 1.15 |
| Over 3.5 Goals | 1.95 |
| Both Teams to Score (Yes) | 2.07 |
Arsenal vs Ipswich Odds
Needless to say, Arsenal is the clear favorite, with odds of 1.15 for a home victory. Ipswich’s win is a long shot, reflecting the strength gap, with odds at massive 16.64.
| Outcome | Odds |
|---|---|
| Arsenal Win | 1.15 |
| Draw | 8.28 |
| Ipswich Win | 16.64 |
| Over 3.5 Goals | 1.95 |
| Under 3.5 Goals | 1.82 |
| Both to Score (Yes) | 2.07 |
| Both to Score (No) | 1.69 |
Arsenal vs Ipswich Head-to-Head Statistics
Arsenal and Ipswich have a storied past, with the last encounter a 3-0 win for Arsenal in the 2011 League Cup. Arsenal generally dominates, winning five of the last seven matchups.
| Home | Away | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Arsenal | Ipswich | 3 – 0 (Win) |
| Ipswich | Arsenal | 1 – 0 (Loss) |
| Arsenal | Ipswich | 2 – 0 (Win) |
| Ipswich | Arsenal | 0 – 2 (Win) |
| Arsenal | Ipswich | 1 – 0 (Win) |
Ipswich last beat Arsenal in a competitive fixture in 2001. Their challenge is to reverse their poor historical record and spring a surprise on a ber Arsenal side. The historical weight and current form underscore Arsenal’s dominance but offer Ipswich a chance at a resilient underdog performance.
Arsenal vs Ipswich Live Streaming: Premier League
The Arsenal vs Ipswich match will take place at the Emirates Stadium on December 28, starting at 1:45 AM IST. For fans looking to watch the match, Star Sports Network is the official broadcast partner for Premier League matches in India, and the live telecast of the game will be available on the Star Sports Select HD and SD channels. Also, fans can access the live streaming of the Premier League 2024-25 matches, including Arsenal vs Ipswich, on Disney+ Hotstar.
