Ipswich vs Liverpool predictions: Dodgy defences should lead to cracking contest
James Milton
Ipswich beat Sunderland 2-1 at Portman Road before losing 5-2 at Manchester United last weekend
Liverpool completed the signing of Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola for £123 million this week
Recommended bet: Liverpool to win, both teams to score & Jeremie Frimpong to score or give an assist at 5/1 with LiveScore Bet
Andoni Iraola replaced Gary O'Neil as Bournemouth manager in June 2023 and the former Cherries bosses face off at Portman Road on Friday.
Iraola is still awaiting his first win since taking charge of Liverpool, who have drawn 2-2 with Newcastle and Nottingham Forest in their first two Premier League games.
O'Neil enjoyed a successful Ipswich debut, beating Sunderland 2-1, but his side's defence was exposed in last weekend's 5-2 loss at Manchester United.
The latest Ipswich vs Liverpool odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Team news
Ipswich's Jaden Philogene and Jack Taylor are unlikely to return to action until next weekend. Azor Matusiwa, Florentino Luis and Emersonn face fitness tests.
Liverpool new signing Bradley Barcola should come straight into the squad but Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike, Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni remain sidelined.
Centre-back Ronald Araujo is pushing for a start after coming off the bench against Newcastle and Nottingham Forest.
The latest Ipswich vs Liverpool odds are available on LiveScore Bet
The stats
Ipswich have scored first in each of their last five matches
Both teams scored in six of the Tractor Boys' last seven home fixtures Ipswich midfielder Sasa Lukic averaged 2.75 fouls per 90 minutes for Fulham in last season's Premier League
Liverpool's first two matches this season produced 14 yellow cards
Reds winger Victor Munoz has been fouled four times in 117 minutes of playing time this term
Liverpool scored 17 goals in their last four league meetings with Ipswich
The latest Ipswich vs Liverpool odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
Attack looks the best form of defence for Liverpool at the moment and they should be backed to claim an entertaining victory at promoted Ipswich on Friday.
The Reds needed an injury-time penalty from Dominik Szoboszlai to earn a 2-2 draw at Newcastle in Andoni Iraola's first competitive match in charge.
And they looked wobbly at the back against Nottingham Forest last weekend, coming from behind twice in another 2-2 at Anfield.
Those performances should encourage Ipswich boss Gary O'Neil, who succeeded promotion-winning coach Kieran McKenna in the summer.
However, O'Neil also has defensive issues to resolve after his players were taught a tough lesson by Manchester United last weekend.
Leif Davis put the Tractor Boys ahead in the 29th minute at Old Trafford before United roared back to win 5-2 with Bruno Fernandes scoring a hat-trick.
Ipswich's defenders face another star-studded attacking unit on Friday and Liverpool fans will have been delighted to see Alexander Isak and Victor Munoz on the scoresheet against Forest.
Isak is hoping to put last season's injury woes behind him while Spanish winger Munoz marked his home debut with an 82nd-minute equaliser.
Liverpool to win and both teams to score looks a solid foundation for a Friday-night Bet Builder.
There have been goals at both ends in all four of Ipswich and Liverpool's league matches this season and Town also beat Leicester 3-1 in the EFL Cup second round.
Punters should complete their same-game acca by backing Liverpool's attack-minded right-back Jeremie Frimpong to score or give an assist.
The Dutchman, like Isak, had an injury-hit first season at Anfield. However, he contributed 22 goals and 19 assists in his last three Bundesliga campaigns at Bayer Leverkusen and has created four chances in two outings this term.
