Everton vs Ipswich Town: Prediction, Betting Tips and Match Preview

Everton have made an impressive start to the new season, remaining unbeaten in the Premier League and booking their spot in the League Cup’s round of 16. The Toffees are eager to keep their momentum rolling, and the fixture list has handed them a favorable opponent. Ipswich Town, meanwhile, have become synonymous with open, high-scoring affairs—largely because they concede far too often. Can the Merseysiders exploit the defensive vulnerabilities of the Tractor Boys?

Tactical Analysis: Everton

David Moyes’ side have left a positive impression across all competitions. In six matches, they have yet to taste defeat, keeping clean sheets in four of those outings. Notably, only Championship side Preston (4-0) and a rebuilding Crystal Palace (2-0) could be considered straightforward assignments. In the other games, the Toffees held their own against more prestigious opponents—drawing 2-2 with Manchester United and 0-0 with Tottenham—and edged past a motivated Wolverhampton (1-0) to advance in the League Cup.

Several patterns define Everton’s play. First, they score exactly as often as they create chances. In the Premier League, they generate an average of 1.25 expected goals (xG) per game and convert at the same rate—1.25 actual goals. Second, they allow opponents to produce 1.37 xG at their end, yet they concede only 0.75 real goals per match. That discrepancy is largely down to Jordan Pickford, who ranks among the top ten goalkeepers for saves and sits in the top five for prevented goals. Finally, despite scoring five goals in four league games, no Everton player has netted more than once. This suggests the attacking threat is spread across the entire squad.

Tactical Analysis: Ipswich Town

Back in the Premier League with the aim of establishing themselves, Ipswich have pursued their goal with an attacking philosophy. After four rounds, they have victories over Sunderland (2-1) and Crystal Palace (3-2) to show for their efforts, and even their defeats have drawn praise. The Tractor Boys troubled Manchester United (2-5) in the first half at Old Trafford and actually outperformed Liverpool (0-2) in expected goals (0.76 xG vs. 0.68 xG). Including League Cup ties, the match against the Reds was the only one that ended with fewer than three goals—they even found the net twice against Arsenal (2-4) in the cup, despite the Gunners having conceded only once in their previous six games.

However, this open style has a downside that hurts results. Pushing forward leaves Ipswich exposed at the back. Their starting lineup features new faces in the double pivot and central defense, and chemistry is still developing. The lack of full understanding often leads to defensive collapses, even in situations that don’t look dangerous. The numbers back this up: while opponents create chances worth 1.68 xG per league match, Ipswich actually concede 2.5 goals per game—roughly one extra goal each time out.

Predicted Lineups

Everton (4-2-3-1): Pickford – Maitland-Niles, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko – Garner, Armstrong – Johnson, Dewsbury-Hall, George – Barry Unavailable: Nørgaard (injured), Reel (doubtful) Manager: David Moyes

Ipswich Town (4-2-3-1): Scherpen – O’Shea, Diop, Greaves, Davis – Lukic, Nunez – Fatawu, Enciso, Clarke – Emersonn Unavailable: Taylor (injured), Matusiwa and Philogene (both doubtful) Manager: Gary O’Neil

Referee

Stuart Attwell will take charge. Last Premier League season, the English official handled 20 matches and established a reputation as a strict referee, averaging 4.6 yellow cards and 21.7 fouls per game. He pointed to the penalty spot in roughly one out of every three matches. In the early stages of the current campaign, Attwell has already issued more yellow cards than any other referee—14 in just two games.

Prediction and Bet

Main tip: Everton to win @ 1.78

Ipswich play entertaining but ultimately inefficient football when it comes to results. They share the title of the Premier League’s second-leakiest defense with Coventry, conceding an extra goal per match on average (2.5 actual vs. 1.68 xG). The lack of cohesion along the central axis leads to regular breakdowns, as seen in their away trip to Manchester United (2-5). New attacking signings have yet to click—Enciso, Emersonn, and Fatawu have managed only two goals between them in four games.

Everton, by contrast, are stable and well-drilled. They attack efficiently, never scoring fewer goals than their chances suggest, and almost every player poses a threat in the final third. New arrivals have already settled in. With Pickford always ready to bail out the defense, a riskier option would be Everton -1.5 @ 2.91, while the safer play is a straightforward home win @ 1.78.

Goals tip: Both teams to score – Yes @ 1.67

As noted, Everton score exactly as much as they create—currently 1.25 goals per Premier League game. In two home matches this season, they have found the net four times. Ipswich generate 1.56 xG per match and actually score 1.75 real goals, outperforming the statistical expectation. Given these numbers, backing both teams to find the back of the net looks appealing.