A rare English top-flight fixture will see West Ham United taking on Ipswich Town in the battle for points. Here is a preview.
On Matchday 7 of the 2024/25 Premier League season, newly-promoted Ipswich Town make their first-ever trip to the London Stadium.
This will be their first league meeting since 2012 and their first in a top-flight game since March 2002. Hence, neither set of players has any previous experience representing their various clubs against each other in a competitive fixture.
The Hammers have been decent in recent years having finished 14th in the league during the 2022/23 season but won the Europa Conference League, their first major trophy since 1980 and first European victory in 58 years.
David Moyes’ side finished ninth last term after an unprecedented run of three consecutive seasons in Europe, but the manager ended his second stint with his contract expiring over the summer. West Ham has ascended from struggling for top-flight survival to competing for the European spots and the growing clamour for a more progressive style of play led to the appointment of Julen Lopetegui.
The Spaniard has Premier League experience and is looking to make a bigger impression at an ambitious club, with West Ham also willing to embrace the next stage of their development.
Despite an abrupt exit from Wolves on the eve of the 2023/24 season, Lopetegui was appreciated for what he achieved at the Molineux. He is originally known for a high-pressing, front-foot style of play that will delight the West Ham faithful who got sick of the boring brand of football played under their previous manager.
West Ham has embraced a structured approach, with Tim Steidten overseeing the recruitment of players while Lopetegui looks to form a side capable of challenging for European qualification places.
Specific player demands must be met to achieve this overhaul of West Ham’s playing style. While it is pertinent to note that West Ham conceded 74 league goals last term, Lopetegui is desperate to bolster his defensive ranks.
Yet, they have made some smart recruitment choices in recent years as the likes of Lucas Paquetá, Mohammed Kudus, Nayef Aguerd, Edson Álvarez and James Ward-Prowse were signed to great effect. This makes West Ham well capable of a return to European competitions which is one of their primary targets going into this season.
For Ipswich, this is history being made as they are back in the top tier of English football after a 22-year absence, following back-to-back promotions from the League One and Championship. They also became the fifth team to ever do so and first since Southampton in 2012.
The Tractor Boys produced 96 points to seal the runner-up spot while scoring the most goals with 92 in total. As a result, Kieran McKenna was named as the EFL Championship Manager of the Season for his outstanding achievements.
After warding off interest in their manager by handing him a contract extension, Ipswich are gearing up for the bruising lessons that await them.
Match Tickets
This Premier League fixture takes place on Saturday, 5 October 2024 with kick-off scheduled for 15:00 UK time. Match tickets are available for sale on each club’s website but note that season ticket holders and club members will be given priority consideration.
The London Stadium will be the place to be for Ipswich fans this weekend and the spectacular 62,000-capacity arena is a worthy backdrop for this historic match. The travelling fans will be desperate to savour the atmosphere of each away ground in the top flight so there will be a sizable representation.
Hence, we urge those supporters still looking for West Ham vs Ipswich Town tickets to purchase them on a resale site.
Team News
West Ham has been active in the transfer window by signing the likes of Luis Guilherme, Wes Foderingham and Max Kilman so far. Lopetegui is still looking to add another centre-back, a full-back, a central midfielder and a striker to complete their summer recruitment.
French defender Jean-Clair Todibo is close to being signed from Nice on a season-long loan, with an option to buy for about £27m. Manchester United’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka is their first-choice option at right-back after they decided not to pursue a move for Noussair Mazraoui. They are also in the driving seat to land Reiss Nelson from Arsenal.
John Duran is being considered as Lopetegui’s ideal striker to provide depth up front for Michail Antonio and Danny Ings, and the Colombian is reportedly keen on joining the Hammers for the assurance of playing time. They have also been linked with a sensational swoop for N’golo Kanté which would be a significant acquisition for West Ham and a signal of their ambitions.
Ipswich has done their bit to improve the squad and signed Liam Delap, Omari Hutchinson, Arijanet Muric, Jacob Greaves and Ben Johnson. Meanwhile, they are having to deal with injury as Nathan Broadhead is expected to be sidelined for a couple of months.
Line-ups
Jarrod Bowen hit a career-high 20 goals and 10 assists in all competitions last term and he is the team’s marksman alongside the impressive Mohammed Kudus.
However, West Ham is sweating on the availability of two key men as Edson Álvarez suffered a hamstring injury during the Copa America with Mexico and will miss pre-season. The ongoing betting investigation into Lucas Paqueta is also a major concern should he get banned before the season starts.
West Ham: Areola; Coufal, Zouma, Kilman, Emerson; Souček, Ward-Prowse; Bowen, Kudus, Paquetá; Antonio
Ipswich has steamrolled to the top flight thanks to their possession-based style of play along with high-pressing that helps to sustain their attacks. McKenna’s ability to develop young players has also been hailed as their dynamic system allows the team to build up play from the back or play along to strikers like Kieffer Moore.
Ipswich: Muric; Tuanzebe, Woolfenden, Burgess, Davies; Morsy, Luongo; Hutchinson, Chaplin, Burns; Moore
Prediction
There is little in the way of recent history between both sides so it is a chance to open a new chapter. Ipswich will be bold at the Hammers but they must be wary of the hosts’ ability to play on the counterattack and find gaps in their defence.
This is set to be an intriguing contest of two attacking teams and West Ham could just edge it on experience.
West Ham 2-1 Ipswich