Premier League newcomers Ipswich Town will turn their attention to the EFL Cup after securing a victory at the weekend, as they now host Leicester City in the second round.
Ipswich Town are back in the top flight after finishing second in the EFL Championship last season and have already made a promising start to their Premier League campaign. A difficult test against Sunderland was always expected, even though Ipswich had home advantage.
Inspired by Julio Enciso, the Tractor Boys took the lead through Emersonn. Although Sunderland enjoyed more possession, the hosts appeared capable of holding on to their advantage until half-time. However, the Black Cats responded before the break with a stunning free-kick from Nilson Angulo.
Ipswich ultimately had the final say, as Jack Clarke scored a late winner in the 90th minute to break Sunderland hearts and give Gary O’Neil the perfect start to life back in the Premier League. The Tractor Boys will face Manchester United at Old Trafford next weekend, but first they must navigate their EFL Cup second-round tie against Leicester City.
Once Premier League champions and regular contenders for a top-four place, Leicester have suffered a dramatic decline in recent seasons. After being relegated to the Championship, the Foxes have now dropped into League One, bringing an abrupt anti-climax to their fairytale story.
There are also significant off-field issues, with the club’s owners reportedly looking to sell. Those problems have been reflected in Leicester’s performances, as Russell Martin’s side remain without a win from their opening two League One matches.
Leicester did defeat Northampton Town in the first round of the EFL Cup and will look to repeat that success against Premier League opposition. This is a difficult fixture for the Foxes, but one they will be determined to win.
Team News & Tactics
Ipswich Town
Ipswich have several injury concerns to manage, and Gary O’Neil is expected to make changes to his midfield. Florentino Luis is unavailable, while Azor Matusiwa is still recovering from a muscular injury. As a result, the manager could select Sasa Lukic and Marcelino Nunez in central midfield for the Leicester match.
There were concerns about Julio Enciso after the victory over Sunderland, but O’Neil confirmed that the attacker was suffering only from cramps and could be fit to play. Nevertheless, the manager may decide not to take any risks with the forward.
It remains to be seen whether Emersonn will retain his place after scoring at the weekend, as Ipswich also have Chuba Akpom available. O’Neil could change his entire attacking unit, with Jack Clarke, Kasey McAteer and Sindre Walle Egeli potentially playing behind Akpom.
Probable lineup (4-2-3-1): Walton; Furlong, Kipre, Greaves, Davis; Nunez, Lukic; Clarke, McAteer, Egeli; Akpom.
Leicester City
Leicester City manager Russell Martin could select a team similar to the one that defeated Northampton in the first round. That would allow him to rotate his squad while allowing several first-team players to impress.
Martin could use his preferred centre-back pairing of Caleb Okoli and Harry Souttar, with Jakub Stolarczyk in goal. Jayden Joseph and Luke Thomas are expected to occupy the full-back positions.
The manager may use one holding midfielder, with Oliver Skipp the likely choice. However, Hamza Choudhury could also be handed a start. Sammy Braybrooke and Louis Page may operate in more advanced midfield roles, while Harry Howell and Tom Watson provide width. Bobby De Cordova-Reid is expected to lead the line for Leicester City against Ipswich Town.
Probable lineup (4-1-4-1): Stolarczyk; Joseph, Okoli, Souttar, Thomas; Choudhury; Howell, Braybrooke, Page, Watson; De Cordova-Reid.
Key Stats
- Leicester City are unbeaten in six of their most recent away matches and have lost only one of their last eight on the road.
- Leicester City are without a win in their last two competitive matches.
- Ipswich Town did not beat Leicester City in either Championship meeting last season, losing one and drawing the other.
- Ipswich began the new Premier League campaign with a victory over Sunderland.
Player to Watch
Sasa Lukic
Luki brings considerable experience from his time at Fulham and could become an important member of Ipswich’s squad this season. The Serbian midfielder should provide stability, discipline and physicality in the centre of the pitch.
Those qualities could be particularly valuable against Leicester City, who are expected to compete aggressively in midfield. Gary O’Neil may rely on Lukic to control the tempo and allow Ipswich’s attacking players to operate with greater freedom. The Serb’s ability to protect the defence and move the ball efficiently could prove crucial.
Prediction
Ipswich Town 2-0 Leicester City
Leicester City may possess one of the strongest squads in League One, but their quality could still fall short of what Ipswich have available. With Russell Martin already under pressure to deliver, the Foxes are unlikely to enter the match as favourites.
Ipswich Town have the momentum after defeating Sunderland and should carry that confidence into the cup tie. The Tractor Boys are expected to progress to the third round, with O’Neil’s side likely to keep a clean sheet in the process.
