Ipswich vs Bournemouth Preview: High-flying Cherries seek eighth successive win

In-form Bournemouth travel to Ipswich on Sunday, seeking their eighth straight win in all competitions.

Gary O’Neil’s Ipswich have gone three games without a win and sit 14th in the league.

Ipswich have been involved in the second-most goals in the division, behind Chelsea, with 14 goals scored and 18 conceded.

The Tractor Boys have rescued draws in each of their last two games, first against Forest and then against Hull City last week, leaving them on 11 points; four behind sixth place and four ahead of the relegation zone, meaning their season is still very much in the balance.

Despite scoring the joint-fourth most goals, Ipswich have struggled defensively and have not kept a clean sheet in their last 11 matches.

They have come from behind to win eight of their eleven points and will hope for a faster start this weekend.

Ahead of the game, Gary O’Neil, who managed the Cherries in 2022, praised Bournemouth's quality: “They have obviously found a good way at the moment.

“They have excellent players. The amount of top players they have been able to recruit, and the whole team put together, has been impressive," he said.

Bournemouth, on the other hand, might be the hottest team in Europe.

The Cherries have seven straight wins with 19 goals scored and just one conceded across three competitions since losing 5-1 to Chelsea almost a month ago.

Their three consecutive league wins against Sunderland, Manchester United and Leeds have seen them move up to ninth, with a record of three wins, three draws and three losses.

Marco Rose said he is happy with how the team is adapting to playing in Europe: "I would say so far so good, but we are still in the process of figuring that out because this week we will have to travel for both of our games.

“It will be demanding so let's see how we adapt."

Team News

Gary O’Neil confirmed in his press conference that everybody will be available for selection as Sasa Lukic returns from three games out with a groin injury.

Striker Emersonn is without a goal in five matches and will be lucky to keep his place over Zian Flemming, who was signed from Burnley in the summer.

The pair each sit on 2 league goals this season, along with Leif Davis and Julio Enciso as the top scorers for the Tractor Boys.

For Bournemouth, Alex Scott is back in training after sustaining a thigh injury while on England international duty last month, but “isn’t 100% yet”, according to his manager, so is unlikely to feature.

Eli Junior Kroupi may feature as he continues his return to full match sharpness but is not ready for a full 90 minutes.

Bournemouth rotated in their 3-1 victory against Sparta Prague but will revert to their winning formula in the league on Sunday.

Evanilson has hit form with four goals in his last four league games, and he was on the scoresheet the last time these teams played in April 2025, a game which Ipswich won 2-1, despite winning only four times that whole season on the way to relegation.

Predicted Lineups

Ipswich: Walton; Ouattara, O'Shea, Diop, Davis; Luis, Palacios; Fatawu, Enciso, Philogene; Emersonn

Bournemouth: Petrovic; Smith, Silva, Hill, Truffert; Christie, Adams; Rayan, Kluivert, Tavernier; Evanilson

Prediction: 2-3

The numbers suggest there will be goals aplenty at Portman Road, with two free-scoring teams going at it.

Bournemouth will be full of confidence after what may be the best month in the club’s history, but they only have one away win in the league and face an Ipswich side who have had a week to prepare.