Ipswich Town host Liverpool at Portman Road on Friday night, with Gary O’Neil’s side chasing a second win of the season while Andoni Iraola looks for his first in the Premier League as Liverpool boss.

Ipswich opened their return to the top flight with a 2-1 win over Sunderland. They then went to Old Trafford and lost 5-2, with Bruno Fernandes running riot.

Ten goals in two games says plenty about how open O’Neil’s side are willing to play, for better and worse.

Liverpool, meanwhile, have started life under Iraola with back-to-back 2-2 draws, at Newcastle and then at home to Nottingham Forest. Four goals conceded in two matches isn’t the platform Iraola wanted after replacing Arne Slot in the summer.

There’s an added layer to this one, too: Iraola is walking into a ground where O’Neil — the man who he succeeded at Bournemouth back in 2023 — is now trying to make his own mark.

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What are the best picks for Ipswich vs Liverpool?

Both teams to score

Both sides have shown they can score, and both have shown they can be got at. Ipswich have found the net in every game so far, with Abdul Fatawu pulling the strings and Julio Enciso setting up a goal in each match.

Liverpool, however, haven’t kept a clean sheet under Iraola yet, conceding twice at Newcastle and twice more against Forest.

Ipswich are unlikely to sit back at home, and Liverpool’s back line is still finding its feet. So goals at both ends look the way to go.

Liverpool Draw No Bet

Liverpool remain the stronger side on paper, even with the stuttering start. O’Neil’s Ipswich have been entertaining, but a 5-2 defeat at Old Trafford is a reminder of how exposed they can be – it gives me flashbacks to Vincent Kompany’s Burnley.

Liverpool should be able to press and move the ball quickly, even without their strongest XI.

Taking the draw out of the equation offers some cover. If Ipswich’s home form holds up, this could end up tighter than expected — and given how both sides have started the season, that wouldn’t be a surprise.

Alexander Isak to score anytime

Isak has started the season as Liverpool’s central striker. Individual quality aside, he’ll fancy his chances against a defence that’s already shipped ten goals in two games.

Ipswich are likely to leave space in behind as they push men forward at home, so Isak should get his sight of goal.

Where can I watch Ipswich vs Liverpool?

Ipswich Town vs Liverpool kicks off at 8 pm BST on Friday, 4 September at Portman Road.

You can watch the game live in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League.

For viewers in the United States, the match kicks off at 3 pm ET. You can stream it on Peacock.

What have the managers said?

Gary O’Neil:

O’Neil was philosophical after the Old Trafford defeat, taking the positives from a tough opening fortnight into this one.

“We got punished by a very good side. To beat Manchester United at Old Trafford you need the moments to go in your favour and they didn’t… We get no points, at Old Trafford a lot of people leave with no points but we leave with an understanding of where to get better. We have three points from two tough games. A good start for us.”

Andoni Iraola:

Iraola was blunt after Liverpool’s second successive draw. Fixing the issues he flagged will be the priority before facing an Ipswich side who won’t be shy about attacking them.

“Obviously not the result you want. Two very different halves today. I think we were poor in the first half.”

What is Ipswich’s predicted team?

(4-2-3-1) Scherpen — O’Shea, Diop, Greaves, Davis — Nunez, Lukic — Fatawu, Enciso, Maeda — Emersonn.

Injured: Matusiwa, Taylor, Philogene-Bidace.

What is Liverpool’s predicted team?

(4-2-3-1) Alisson — Frimpong, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez — Mac Allister, Szoboszlai — Gakpo, Wirtz, Munoz — Isak.

Injured: Bradley, Ekitike, Gomez, Chiesa, Jaros, Bajcetic, Leoni.

Score prediction: Ipswich Town 1-2 Liverpool

Liverpool have the quality to edge this, even while they’re still finding their feet under Iraola. But Ipswich have already shown twice this season that they won’t make it easy for anyone.

Two shaky defences and two managers still finding their feet point towards goals at both ends. Liverpool’s greater attacking depth should just about see them home.

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