We go again, as the Baggies visit Ipswich on Saturday afternoon just after their midweek game over Watford.
The second game in less than 72 hours as they we travel to Ipswich on Saturday morning aiming to bounce back from our recent setback at Watford on Wednesday evening. Our defeat has pushed down to 11th in the table but a win here would take us to 3rd for a few hours anyways.
This is the biggest game of the season so far and Ipswich have been the early favourites for promotion this season but they are down in 13th place in the league and have had a 3-0 home defeat to Charlton in the week who just come up from League One. I think this is going to be a tricky game for both sides in this early kick off on Saturday.
Player To Watch – Ipswich Town
Jack Clarke will be one to watch closely when Ipswich face West Brom. Since joining Ipswich in the summer of 2024 from Sunderland.
Clarke has become one of Kieran McKenna’s key attacking outlets. Lining up predominantly on the left wing, he’s brought pace, directness, and a real goal threat to the side — the kind of player who can change a game with a single burst or moment of quality. His ability to take on defenders one-on-one and drive into dangerous areas makes him a constant menace, and his end product has already been evident this season with several important goals and assists. Clarke’s confidence in possession and his willingness to commit opponents fit perfectly into Ipswich’s fluid attacking style, giving them an extra dimension going forward.
For West Brom, managing Clarke’s influence will be essential. The Baggies’ right flank will need to stay compact and disciplined, as Ipswich often look to isolate Clarke against his marker to exploit space on the break. Allow him too much room, and he’ll take full advantage — his pace and sharp movement can stretch even the most organised defences. But if West Brom can keep him contained and deny him service, they’ll cut off one of Ipswich’s most potent attacking threats. With form, confidence, and a point to prove after his summer move, Clarke is exactly the kind of player who could have a big say in how this contest unfolds — and Baggies fans would be wise to keep a close eye on him.
Player To Watch – West Brom
I’m going for it, I think player to watch over Ipswich Ton who was injured 2 seasons ago with a hamstring injury that kept him out all year I have gone for Daryl Dike.
He made his first appearance of the season on Wednesday night, but I expect him to be making an appearance at Portman Road again on Saturday. I think if he does play he would show the Portman Road crowd what’s his about not by his injuries but how clinical and much of a threat he would be against the Ipswich defense.
He would prove a few fans wrong on Saturday and could become a bit of a surprise if he does fire in a goal on Saturday lunchtime.
My Line Up V Ipswich
My Prediction V Ipswich
Predictions for Ipswich, last time around I predicted a 1-1 draw over Watford this time I was wrong as the Hornets overcome us in the end to secure us a 2-1 defeat. This time around I am struggling to make a score prediction for this one as this would be a tough afternoon at Portman Road.
I say Ipswich would control the game from the get go by pushing their attacking players to get the breakthrough and in the 12th minute the deadlock be broken with Jack Clarke getting in the scoresheet to give Ipswich the lead.
It would stay 1-0 to Ipswich for long but in added time, the Baggies would have a corner taken by Mikey Johnston that would lead a error for Cedric Kipre to give the ball away to Nat Phillips to give us the equaliser just before the break.
I feel just after kicking off the second half, Iling Junior would take on 2 Ipswich players that would set up an attacking threat where he would give a crossover that would led Daryl Dike to then go one v one with Christian Walton to give the Baggies the lead.
Then in the next 10-15 minutes we would be all over Ipswich trying to get the third but around the 65th minute eventually we would get our third goal of the game this time with Isaac Price’s effort hitting the post to then swing into the net to put us 3-1 up at Portman Road.
It would look like a great afternoon but soon after the game isn’t finished yet as Ipswich would get one back with George Hirst putting the game to 3-2 just before the 70th minute. It would stay quiet and nervy for the rest of the final 20 minutes with Ipswich being all over us trying to get the equaliser with 7 minutes of added time added there be a goal but this time it would be the Baggies as Aune Heggebo would beat Darnell Furlong to actually take a shot to give us a 4-2 win over Ipswich on Saturday afternoon.
Prediction: Ipswich 2-4 West Brom
Goalscorers for Ipswich: Jack Clarke, George Hirst
Goalscorers for West Brom: Nat Phillips, Daryl Dike, Isaac Price, Aune Heggebø
I have been close with my predictions this season but I feel there be goals in this game as Alex Palmer is out injured for Ipswich, I think this is the time that our attacking players show what they made of and a time for the likes of Heggebø, Maja and Dike to make a breakthrough for this season that would start at this game.
Ipswich are sort of struggling of late and with us having a on and off sort of season in our first 11 games, I say we be on this game and it be a great result all round if we pull this one of as we have 3 winnable games to play for after this one.