Ipswich Town

A new season, and a new challenge for BBC Sport's prediction expert Chris Sutton.

Sutton faced off against a guest for each of the 38 game weeks in 2023-24 and triumphed 21-10 (with seven draws) to secure his second predictions title in a row.

In the first week of the new season, his opponent is The Courteeners frontman Liam Fray.

The pair have both given their prediction for newly-promoted Ipswich v Liverpool on Saturday.

Sutton's prediction: 1-3

I love the job Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna has done, with back-to-back promotions, and they have brought a few players in, including goalkeeper Arijanet Muric from Burnley. Kalvin Phillips is set to sign on loan for the season too.

The way they start the season is going to be so important to get some confidence and a foothold in the top flight, as it is with all the promoted clubs, and Ipswich have got it tough because after facing Liverpool they go to Etihad Stadium next weekend.

Liverpool have not signed anyone yet under new boss Arne Slot but their firepower is incredible and I don't see Ipswich keeping them out.

Liam's prediction: 0-2

I've heard Ipswich are quite gung-ho and a good watch, but I don't know how that will work out for them in the Premier League. I can't see anything other than a Liverpool win.

Read the full predictions and have your say

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Ipswich Town winger Wes Burns says it is a "dream come true" to say he will be part of a squad that is competing in the Premier League, having signed for the Suffolk club three years ago.

"It is a really proud thing to have achieved," he said on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

"It is a dream come true to say I am part of a Premier League squad.

"I think it is everything to the club. It has an amazing history and it's been 22 years since we were in the top flight. It has been an incredible rise.

"I don't think anyone beyond their wildest imaginations would have thought it."

Burns has witnessed and been part of Ipswich's transformation in recent years and, with the club approaching the 2024-25 campaign with optimism, he paid tribute to their supporters.

"The fans have been through some hard times in recent years and credit to them," he added. "They have stuck by the club in dark times and they are getting everything they deserve now."

The Tractor Boys host Liverpool in their season opener at 12:30 BST on Saturday.

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Ipswich Town are preparing for their first season in the Premier League for more than two decades but, even before a ball is kicked, pundits and bookmakers are predicting a swift return to the Championship.

But is staying up the bare minimum for Kieran McKenna's side or should they aim higher?

Martin Lambert from the Talking Town podcast tells The Football News Show that while survival would constitute a successful season, they should stay true to the philosophy that saw them promoted.

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The Football News Show chats to podcaster Martin Lambert, who says Kieran McKenna can bring the best out of England midfielder Kalvin Phillips.

In an interview recorded before Friday's two new arrivals at Portman Road were confirmed, Lambert also discusses the likely impact of striker Sammie Szmodics.

Watch The Football News Show on BBC iPlayer

Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna and winger Wes Burns look ahead to Saturday's home match against Liverpool - Ipswich's first game in the Premier League since 2002.

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Ipswich host Liverpool in their Premier League opener on Saturday and, on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast, BBC Radio Suffolk's Brenner Woolley explained how bad sentiment had been in the intervening years before their rise back into the top flight for the first time in more than two decades.

"There was a disconnect between the fanbase and the club," he said.

"They were disappointed with absolutely everything. They weren't seeing players come through, they weren't seeing attractive football, they weren't seeing victories. They weren't seeing any kind of progression and that eventually just slipped into apathy and they gave up.

"So many people weren't bothering going along. Fans were unhappy with the local media, with the managers. They were unhappy with the colour of paint on the turnstiles - everything you could imagine under the sun - because there hadn't been anything.

"The one time they did get into the play-offs at the end of the season - nine years ago - ultimately they lost to their fiercest rivals [Norwich City].

"Aside from that, so many League Cup exits before we got to September, so many FA Cup 'runs' that didn't go past the first weekend in January and of course, stagnation in the Championship ultimately followed by Ipswich Town dropping into the third tier for the first time since about 1957."

Now, there is a renewed optimism at the club and everyone is excited to see their blue shirts back in the Premier League this weekend.

"People bleed blue," he added. "For so long in my early days here I would see all sorts of kits from around the globe [in the town] but now, everywhere you go it's Ipswich. That is tremendous."

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We asked how you felt about Ipswich's transfer dealings so far, after the Tractor Boys confirmed the signings of Sammie Szmodics and Kalvin Phillips on Friday.

Here are some of your comments:

Andy: Yesss... Szmodics done. I think Ipswich's business this window has been superb.

Josha: The signings of Szmodics and Phillips are a statement of intent to back Kieran McKenna. The Phillips loan signing has tremendous upside, especially if he can echo his Leeds form. If it does go wrong, there's no obligation to buy. I'm still a little worried that we don't have enough Premier League experience, but in Kieran McKenna we trust!

Henry: We have had a great transfer window!

Les: Like the work Ipswich are doing in the transfer market. Great old club, I hope you have a great season. It's good to see a club go up and give it a go.

Former Ipswich Town and Liverpool defender John Wark gave his combined XI - from his playing days - to BBC Radio Suffolk before Saturday's Premier League opener.

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Kalvin Phillips has said he wants to "play as many games as possible" and "enjoy playing football again" after completing his season-long loan move to Ipswich from Premier League champions Manchester City on Friday.

England international Phillips has struggled for regular first-team action since joining City from Leeds, and had an unsuccessful loan spell at West Ham last season.

"This is a day I've been waiting a number of weeks for now and I'm very happy to be here," he told club media.

"I've had some great conversations with players I know here and also with the manager, who I have obviously heard a lot about. I'm excited to be here and be part of his team, playing how he likes to play the game.

"The conversations with [manager] Kieran McKenna and [chairman] Mark Ashton have been really good. I followed Ipswich's season closely last year, so I know the journey the club has been on and it's a great story which I'm now excited to be a part of."

He added: "I want to play as many games as possible, enjoy playing football again and help the team win as many games as possible in the Premier League."

Joe Nelson
BBC Sport journalist

Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Liverpool (kick-off 12:30 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Town are relishing their return to the top flight after a 22-year absence: "The group has worked so hard for the opportunity we have in front of us this season. The supporters have waited a long time. It is great excitement. We know the scale of the challenge and what is ahead of us but it's going to be a wonderful season."

• McKenna feels prepared for the new campaign: "We have had a long pre-season. We are seven weeks in. We have had some good fixtures and feel as ready as we can be. We have had a few challenges and a smaller group than we have wanted so it's been a really busy summer. We are looking forward to seeing the fruits of some of that hard work."

• On Saturday's game being the first Premier League match at Portman Road since 2002: "I am sure the stadium will look fantastic. The supporters will be brilliant and we are looking forward to the game now."

• On Ed Sheeran acquiring a minority stake in the club: "It's been really nice, and he's been an ever-present since I have been at the club. I know he is a lifelong supporter and very passionate. He is a global superstar and one of the most talented musicians in the world, and to have him endorsing what we do is a great boost for the football club. We are really grateful."

• McKenna gushed about the qualities new signing Sammie Szmodics has, both on and off the pitch: "He is a learner - he is a worker and looking to improve all the time. He has climbed his way through the leagues and he has deserved his opportunity in the Premier League. That matches with our squad. I think from a cultural point of view he is a fantastic fit. He has a history with the club. He has family who support the club and he is a very good player. In all aspects we are very happy to have him here."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

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New Ipswich Town striker Sammie Szmodics has been speaking to club media after his transfer from Blackburn Rovers was confirmed and has said he is "delighted" to have signed for the club.

"There's always been interest since I was a kid, but it just felt right this time with the challenge of the Premier League," said the Republic of Ireland international.

"After speaking to a couple of the lads, including Lewis Travis who was here last season, they just pushed me and said that I need to come and work under this manager (Kieran McKenna), which is something I can't wait to do.

"It's every boy's dream to play in the Premier League and I've always said to my friends, family and agents that I'll get to the top one day.

"There's nothing more I want than to score at Portman Road for Ipswich Town. I am over the moon to be here and looking forward to the season ahead."

Szmodics could feature on Saturday, when Ipswich host Liverpool at Portman Road in their first top-flight game since 2002.

The Suffolk club have also confirmed the signing of Manchester City and England midfielder Kalvin Phillips on a season-long loan.

Ipswich fans - are you happy with those additions?

Let us know your thoughts, external

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Ipswich Town legend John Wark believes his former club can stay up in the Premier League this season.

The Tractor Boys are playing in the top flight for the first time in 22 years but, despite the competition in the division, Wark is confident Kieran McKenna can steer them to safety.

"Yes," was his response when asked whether Ipswich will stay up in the BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily and he added: "I would take right now finishing fourth bottom."

Fellow former Ipswich player Kieron Dyer shared that optimism, saying: "I feel that we are going to finish ahead of Leicester and Southampton but it's just if we can rein another one in.

"I think it is going to be very difficult but I have underestimated the club and the team too many times.

"They have got a great chance."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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John Wark will be an interested spectator when two of his former clubs, Ipswich Town and Liverpool, meet in their Premier League season opener at Portman Road on Saturday.

Ipswich will be playing their first top-flight game for 22 years.

Wark told BBC Radio Suffolk: "As soon as I heard it [that the match had been scheduled for the opening day], I said 'you beauty!' and my phone went crazy with so many different people, especially friends from Liverpool.

"Ipswich is my team, but it was such a joy going to Liverpool. The reason I went there was because Sir Bobby Robson went to be England manager and a lot of our players were sold to different teams. I couldn't see Ipswich being a force so I wanted to go to Liverpool and win things - and that's what happened."

Looking ahead to Saturday's match, the former Scotland international said: "I'm just going to enjoy it and the best result I would like would be 1-1. I think any Ipswich fan would take that right now.

"I'm looking forward to it, it's a really hard game against a top team, but we're back in the Premier League and that's where we want to be.

"I just think it's the best time to play them [Liverpool]. A lot of their players have been playing in the Euros, I know they've got a massive squad but the best time is to play them in the first game."

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Former Ipswich Town midfielder Kieron Dyer believes Kalvin Phillips could be a huge acquisition, as the Premier League club closes in on the loan signing of the England international from reigning champions Manchester City.

Dyer, who also played for Newcastle United, West Ham and QPR in the top flight, was a guest on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast to previews the first weekend of the 2024-25 Premier League season.

"We’re talking about great managers, David Moyes is a great manager and he had him at West Ham and he couldn't get the best out of him," said the former Ipswich man, discussing Phillips.

"Even when you look at the greatest manager in Pep Guardiola, and yes they’ve got Rodri, but everyone seems to be a success at Man City eventually. Usually it takes them a season to adapt and he hasn’t quite adapted.

"It’s going to be a challenge for Kieran McKenna to get him up and flying but if they do - Gareth Southgate was talking throughout the European Championships how important he was for England.

"I just touched on the [Ipswich] team and they haven't got any Premier League experiences so they are all going into the unknown; for the fans, for Kieran if they can raise their game.

"But we know Kalvin Phillips, if he's on top of his game, he's proven in the Premier League, he's proven on the international stage. It is a massive signing, it's probably the biggest signing in Ipswich's history for 10, 15, 20 years."

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We asked for your views on one thing that nobody seems to be talking about at Ipswich but should be.

Here are some of your comments:

Irfaan: The lack of squad depth. Our first XI is very good but on the bench are younger players who don't have a lot of minutes and may make our last half an hour very hard as teams may pile the pressure on.

Josh: I'm sure most Town fans will predict us to shock people, but I don't think it would be a huge shock if we stay up. Kieran McKenna is already a top-half manager and, regardless of the outside view of our squad's quality, the togetherness and prior coaching of McKenna is enough to give us a fighting chance. I predict 18th, but it could well be higher!

Elliott: We had the most points at home in the Championship and joint most in the EFL with Wrexham. If we make Portman Road a fortress, we have a chance of survival.

George: We have the best young manger in the country, who will relish the opportunity to compete with the big guns in the division. We may well spend most of the season in the bottom six but we will play football the right way and cause a few ‘bloody noses’ all the way to May. I believe we will stay up. We will strengthen. We will go again.

Dan: The belief in the club and among the players is at an all-time high and that goes a long way. Leicester City proved in 2015-16 you can do great things with hard work and belief, and that's what this team is about. Expect some surprise results throughout the season.

Dave: I'm concerned that we haven't strengthened our squad in all weaker areas after a flurry of early business this transfer window. A lot of our squad were playing in League One a few years ago and I worry about depth and quality to allow us to compete. Many fans are muttering the same, but hopefully a few more bodies will arrive before the window closes.

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Ipswich Town are unbeaten in their past 10 opening league matches of the season.

They have won six and drawn four since losing 2-1 to Reading in the Championship in 2013-14.

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

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There should be some focus on the newbies in the Premier League just as much as the old guard in the top half of the table.

‌When you get promoted, you really do want to hit the ground running. Start the season on a high and you can ride that wave for a while. Lose, and that sunny hopeful optimism can turn to a dark menacing cloud of fear before August is over.

‌Both Ipswich Town and Leicester City have got home openers but that is counter-balanced by the fact that it is Liverpool and Tottenham they will face - two teams with designs on a top-four finish. Southampton have a bigger mountain to climb, when they face Newcastle United at St James' Park.

‌Last season, all three promoted teams in Burnley, Luton Town and Sheffield United were duly relegated nine months later. That was an unusual occurrence that last happened back in season 1997-98 but at least Leicester and Southampton have a decent amount of recent Premier League experience.

‌Even so, it is hard to see any of them doing anything other than battling relegation. I wish them well but expect just one will survive.

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