Ipswich vs Southampton prediction 17.08.2025 | Championship

Ipswich returns to Championship action after a shock EFL Cup defeat against Bromley earlier this week. Following a 1:1 draw in regulation time, the Tractor Boys suffered a painful penalty shootout reversal. 

After their Premier League relegation, Kieran McKenna's side kicked-off their Championship campaign with a 1:1 draw at Birmingham last weekend and will be keen to find a first win of the season this weekend. 

A lack of defensive durability proved Ipswich's undoing last season, and that pattern shows little sign of improvement. McKenna's men conceded at least one goal in 25 of their last 26 matches. As a consequence of their defensive issues, six of Ipswich's last seven games finished with BTTS.

Head coach McKenna is likely to revert to the same XI that began last weekend's 1:1 draw with Birmingham. Conor Townsend and Jaden Philogene are likely to remain sidelined after missing the first two games of the season.

Southampton make the trip to Ipswich in high spirits after picking up back-to-back victories in their first two competitive fixtures of the new season.

The Saints showed remarkable fighting qualities to claim a 2:1 win against Wrexham having trailed 1:0 as the game entered stoppage time. Will Still's men followed up that success with a hard-fought 1:0 win at Northampton in the EFL Cup on Wednesday. 

Like the home side, a lack of defensive discipline proved costly for the Saints in their relegation to the Championship. Southampton have seen BTTS in seven of their last nine games, with only three clean sheets kept in 27 previous matches.

Head coach Still has a strong squad available this weekend. James Bree and Will Smallbone are the only players expected to miss out for the home side.