Ipswich 1-2 Wolves: Key statspublished at 18:12 5 April
18:12 5 April
Image source, Getty Images
Ipswich have lost each of their past six home league games - the Tractor Boys' longest losing streak on home soil in the top four tiers since November 1963.
Liam Delap scored his 12th Premier League goal of the season, with only Marcus Stewart netting more for the Tractor Boys across a single campaign in the competition (19 in 2000-01).
'We know we are probably going to fall short'published at 18:01 5 April
18:01 5 April
Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna has been speaking to Premier League Productions about the home defeat: "We are gutted, it's very sad in the dressing room. The players put everything in and we weren't able to find enough in the second half to get the result we wanted.
"The first half wasn't a beautiful game, but we had great energy and scored the goal. The second half energy played a part. There are players who pushed really hard to get out on the pitch on Wednesday, so to go again today was difficult. Energy was a challenge.
"They are a strong opponent who bring on good substitutes and put pressure on. I thought we had ridden it out. You can call it lucky, a high quality substitute that changed the game and gave all the energy to them, but we weren't able to find anything else.
"We know where we are at. I can't ask for more from many of the players - they have given everything. A lot have come on the journey from League One. A lot of them have performed really well and done themselves proud.
"We know the strength of the league and we know opponents can bring on top international talent off the bench."
On the motivation in the squad: "It can't change too much for us. Today is a sad day and if we had got the win today, it would have felt good.
"We know we are probably going to fall short. We play Chelsea, Newcastle and we have some good games coming up. I don't think motivation will be an issue.
"We'll take a day or two to get over this one and try to deliver a performance to be proud of in the coming weeks."
Sutton's predictions: Ipswich v Wolvespublished at 11:03 5 April
11:03 5 April
I am going purely from the heart here, not because I have any feelings for Ipswich but purely because of what I know a Tractor Boys win will mean for my daughter's teacher, Mr Fields.
I have written Ipswich off plenty of times this season and said they are already down but they simply have to win this game otherwise they really can forget any hope of staying up.
What a result it was for Kieran McKenna's side to win at Bournemouth on Wednesday, especially after Wolves had beaten West Ham on Tuesday.
It means that Ipswich are still one place and nine points behind 17th-placed Wolves. With eight games to go, they only have a slim chance of survival but at least they do have a chance, and they could put their nearest rivals under a bit of pressure by beating them here.
They have already beaten Wolves once this season, at Molineux in December, in Gary O'Neil's final game in charge of Wolves, and beating them again at home to get their second win this week would be huge when you consider they had only won three of their first 29 league games.
My head is not exactly convinced that will happen, if I am being entirely honest, even though Wolves' best player Matheus Cunha is still out suspended.
Mr Fields would probably prefer me not to tip Town to win anyway because I have usually been wrong when I've done that in the past, but I am going to say they will get over the line because I want him to be happy.
McKenna on season climax, VAR and being ready for Wolvespublished at 16:07 4 April
16:07 4 April
Karan Vinod BBC Sport journalist
Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Wolves at Portman Road (kick-off 15:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
On squad fitness: "Nothing new from other night [against Bournemouth]. In terms of availability, we'll be leaving some decisions until tomorrow. We had players who played a little bit more than what we would have wanted the other night. It was a physical game and we've got players coming back from injury. It's going to be late judgements on how everyone is tomorrow before we make final decisions."
On the climax to the season: "We have nine games left. We broke it down as pretty much a quarter of the season - and we want to have the best quarter of the season in terms of performances and in terms of results. We want to show growth as a team and we want to try to win as many games as we can."
McKenna also said that he wasn't the biggest fan of VAR but believes that semi-automated offsides could help: "I don't naturally enjoy it. I enjoy when you score a goal and it's a 100% goal. Other than that, it has brought some benefits. But the time is still an issue and semi-automated offsides would be a step forward."
On facing Wolves knowing a win would move Town to within six points of the Molineux side, McKenna said: "We will be ready to go. Everyone knows it's an important game, with not too many games left. We are playing a team that is one position higher than us in the league so it's a game of significance - but every game is. We are going to give our best. It would be a fantastic game to win."
On Kevin de Bruyne leaving Manchester City: "He's been incredible and certainly one of the greatest to grace the league. I faced him quite a few times as a coach with United and the biggest part of the gameplan was how to stop him. If he decides it's the right time, it's the right time."
Ipswich v Wolves: Did you know?published at 09:16 4 April
09:16 4 April
Image source, Getty Images
Wolves have won their past two away Premier League games, as many as in their previous 19 combined.
The Old Gold have won six of their past eight Premier League games against promoted sides.
Their sole defeat though was against Ipswich in December, while Birmingham in 2009-10 are the only promoted side to do the double over Wolves in the Premier League.
Ipswich have lost 10 home Premier League matches this season, their most in a season since 2010-11 in the Championship (also 10). They've only ever lost more home games in one season, losing 13 at Portman Road in 1994-95 when they finished bottom of the Premier League.
Enciso offers reminder of 'game-changing' quality he possessespublished at 13:43 3 April
13:43 3 April
Tom Gayle BBC Match of the Day commentator at Vitality Stadium
Image source, Getty Images
Whenever I see the name Julio Enciso my mind goes back to Brighton's 4-1 demolition of Wolves at the start of last season.
While Kaoru Mitoma's solo goal, which started at the halfway line, understandably grabbed all the headlines, the big takeaway for me was Enciso's performance.
Selfless decision-making enabled the Paraguay international, then still a teenager, to provide two assists, but also display the physicality needed to excel in the Premier League when a key part of your game is driving the team forward and looking to hurt the opposition.
I was convinced he was on course to follow in the footsteps of Moises Caicedo, Alexis Mac Allister, Marc Cucurella and Ben White, and be sold for a hefty profit.
Just a few days after his performance at Molineux, Enscio suffered a meniscus tear in training, an injury which would require two operations and force him to miss over six months of football.
Having clocked up more minutes on the Brighton bench than on the pitch under Fabian Hurzeler this season, it was no surprise to learn Enciso pushed for a January loan move in pursuit of more game time.
I must admit, though, I was shocked to see him opt for struggling Ipswich amid reported interest from Borussia Dortmund and Manchester United.
I have not watched every second of all of his performances in a Town shirt. However, commentating over his assist for Nathan Broadhead's goal in their 2-1 win over Bournemouth, which included a powerful dribble where he was able to hold off and outpace three defenders, was a reminder of the game-changing quality the 21-year-old possesses.
Enciso is proven at Premier League level. However, apart from Liam Delap, all of Ipswich's attacking options have struggled to make a consistent impact this season.
With manager Kieran McKenna confirming to me injuries to Lief Davis and Omari Hutchinson, the pair who sit at the top of Ipswich's chances created stats list, the need for Enciso to rediscover his best form on a regular basis could not be greater.
Bournemouth 1-2 Ipswich - the fans' verdictpublished at 11:46 3 April
11:46 3 April
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your views on Ipswich's victory at Bournemouth on Wednesday. Here are some of your comments:
Bournemouth fans
Lee: A poor performance from the Cherries, the front-foot high press and attacking pressure has disappeared and we offered very little against an average but spirited Ipswich Town. Delap was the best player on the pitch by a mile.
Matthew: Running on empty currently. Key players missing and our frantic tempo is taking its toll. Not sure there is enough time to regroup for a European push. Top half and a best points total may have to suffice.
Tony: Baffling. A team of players who collectively and individually looked to be almost unbeatable six weeks ago suddenly seem to have lost their individual and collective mojos and appear to be exhausted.
Ipswich fans
Damien: Great team performance. Everyone worked hard for each other. Took our chances, which were limited - but two quality goals and a great defensive display earned us vital three points away from home.
Terry: Football is a results-based business and this was a badly needed result. Nothing more, nothing less. This gives us belief to beat Wolves next time out and perhaps give the most optimistic fans to shout about staying up.
James: Wasn't the prettiest of wins - but what a great win. Palmer and the back four were great. Cajuste was class again, going to miss him next season. Pity we didn't have Enciso from the start of the season. Well played, Town.
Bournemouth 1-2 Ipswich: Resilient Town get much-needed victorypublished at 23:38 2 April
23:38 2 April
Michael Emons BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Reuters
Image caption,
Ipswich's win over Bournemouth was only their fourth victory in the Premier League this season
Ipswich Town finally secured their first league win of 2025, with boss Kieran McKenna rightly delighted with a fantastic team performance that saw them grind out a 2-1 victory at Bournemouth.
Town had thrown away a 1-0 lead against the Cherries at Portman Road in December and at 2-1 with half an hour to go and Bournemouth pushing for an equaliser, Ipswich fans would have been fearing another late collapse.
But it did not happen as Ipswich, led by Dara O'Shea and superbly assisted by Cameron Burgess and Axel Tuanzebe, defended superbly to hold on to the three points.
"We have been waiting a while for a win and in this league that's what can happen," said McKenna. "There's still belief, a lot of togetherness and you can see that as a team so it was a good night for us.
"We're coming into the last quarter of the season and we want to finish off the season well and make it our best quarter and get as many points as we can and where that leaves us, let's see."
"I'm really proud and there is a little bit of relief after the last 10 minutes. Really proud of the performance in terms of how hard we worked, the two goals we scored, the result and what we showed defensively."
Ipswich are nine points adrift of 17th-placed Wolves, who they entertain on Saturday, with the Town supporters having just a tiny bit of hope of a miraculous recovery.
'There's still belief' - McKennapublished at 23:20 2 April
23:20 2 April
Image source, Getty Images
Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna, speaking to Sky Sports: "I'm really proud and there is a little bit of relief after the last 10 minutes.
"Really proud of the performance in terms of how hard we worked, the two goals we scored, the result and what we showed defensively.
"We have been waiting a while for a win and in this league that's what can happen. There's still belief, a lot of togetherness and you can see that as a team so it was a good night for us.
"We're coming into the last quarter of the season and we want to finish off the season well and make it our best quarter and get as many points as we can and where that leaves us, let's see.
"The second goal was a fantastic move and for me the best goal anyone has scored here this year as they are really hard to play through."
On Saturday's home match against Wolves: "It's a big game, no doubt about it. It's a big game to look forward to, a big game, a pressure game so let's attack it. We try to enjoy every game at Portman Road."
Bournemouth 1-2 Ipswich: Did you know?published at 22:40 2 April
22:40 2 April
Image source, Getty Images
Liam Delap has scored 11 top-flight goals for Ipswich this season with only Marcus Stewart (19 in 2000-01) netting more in a single Premier League campaign for the Tractor Boys.
Delap has also scored 36.7% of Ipswich's league goals this season (11/30), with only Alexander Isak (41%), Mohamed Salah (39%) and Erling Haaland (36.8%) netting a higher share of their side's goals this term.