Read our Ipswich vs Sunderland prediction, lineups, betting tips and odds ahead of the English Premier League match. Get key bet builder insights and picks.
Ipswich vs Sunderland Match Summary
Competition | Premier League |
|---|---|
Match Date | Saturday 22 August 2026 |
Match Time | 15:00 UK time |
Venue (City, Stadium) | Portman Road |
The 2026-27 Premier League season gets going at Portman Road, where Ipswich host Sunderland on the opening weekend. Two clubs, two very different summers.
Ipswich are back in the top flight after just one year away, sealing an immediate return as Championship runners-up in May. The plan this time is to stick around for longer than a single campaign.
Sunderland arrive off the back of a 7th-place finish in 2025-26 that earned them Europa League qualification. A settled squad has kept summer business quiet, but expectations on Wearside are high.
The bookmakers can barely split them. Ipswich are 9/5 (AK Bets) to win, Sunderland 7/4 (AK Bets), with the draw 12/5 (Betfred). This has the makings of a tight opener.
Ipswich vs Sunderland Lineups & Team News
Injuries & Suspensions
Ipswich: Azor Matusiwa (Injured/doubtful), Jack Taylor (Injured/doubtful)
Sunderland: Thomas Meunier (doubtful, late fitness test), Nordi Mukiele (doubtful, late fitness test)
Ipswich
Ipswich could hand debuts to a host of summer signings, with big-money arrivals Fatawu, Maeda and Emersonn all pushing for the front three. Dutch keeper Kjell Scherpen started the last two pre-season outings and looks set to be the No.1, while Diop and Lukic are expected to feature from the off. Matusiwa and Taylor are both battling to be involved after injury.
Sunderland
Sunderland have concerns at right-back, with Meunier and Mukiele both facing late fitness tests. Omar Alderete could make the squad despite missing the whole of pre-season through injury. Trai Hume has played in a more advanced role in recent friendlies and could keep his place on the right of the front three, provided one of Meunier or Mukiele is fit to start.
Ipswich vs Sunderland Predicted Lineup
Ipswich
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Predicted Starting Lineup: Scherpen; Davis, Greaves, Diop, O'Shea; Lukic, Núñez; Maeda, Egeli, Fatawu; Emersonn
Sunderland
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Predicted Starting Lineup: Roefs; Mandava, Ballard, O'Nien, Meunier; Sadiki, Xhaka; Angulo, Le Fee, Hume; Brobbey
Ipswich vs Sunderland Key Stats & Match Facts
Ipswich have lost 5 of their last 6 matches in the Premier League.
Ipswich have conceded at least 2 goals in 7 of their last 8 matches in the Premier League.
Ipswich have been losing at both half time and full time in 5 of their last 6 matches in the Premier League.
Sunderland's 7th-place finish in 2025-26 secured European qualification for the club for the first time in 53 years.
Sunderland clinched 7th spot on the final day of last season with a 2-1 win over Chelsea at the Stadium of Light.
Ipswich vs Sunderland Prediction & Best Bets
Our prediction: This is a genuinely close call. Sunderland edge the numbers as narrow favourites, and with a settled side against an Ipswich team still finding its shape, we lean towards the visitors nicking it in a game with goals at both ends. Sunderland 1-2. Our Ipswich vs Sunderland prediction points to a tight, open opener.
Best Bets
Back Sunderland's attacking midfielder Enzo Le Fee to register at least two shots in the Player Shots market. As Sunderland's central creative hub, Le Fee is the one pulling the strings, and the projections have him firmly favoured to get shots away. If Sunderland are going to hurt Ipswich, plenty of it will run through the Frenchman.
Back Both Teams To Score in the match between Ipswich and Sunderland. With a projected total north of 2.5 goals and Ipswich shipping 2 or more in 7 of their last 8 Premier League games, both nets look likely to bulge. That soft home defence makes this one of our stronger Ipswich vs Sunderland best bets.
Ipswich vs Sunderland Bet Builder
Our four-leg Ipswich vs Sunderland bet builder tips back a Sunderland win, Brian Brobbey to score anytime, both teams to score, and Sasa Lukic to be shown a card.
Leg one is the Sunderland win. The visitors are the narrow favourites here and, with a settled team facing an Ipswich side mid-rebuild, they have every reason to start strongly.
Leg two is Brobbey anytime scorer. As the man leading the Sunderland line, he is the natural focal point against a home defence that has been leaking goals badly. 3 goals in 4 at the world cup was impressive and he looks set to build on seven goals in his debut season.
Leg three is both teams to score. Ipswich have conceded at least twice in 7 of their last 8 in the Premier League, and their new front three should carry a threat at the other end.
Leg four is Lukic to be booked. The Serb sits in the Ipswich engine room, and holding midfielders in a tight, physical opener are always in the referee's book. He got nine yellows in 23 games last season and will have far more defensive duties here.
At the time of writing, this bet builder pays a best price of 25/1 and is as short as 18/1 elsewhere. That's a difference in potential winnings of £70 from best to worst price.
Make sure to get the best odds on your Bet Builder with Oddschecker's Exclusive Bet Builder Comparison Tool.
Bet builder odds correct at time of publishing.
Ipswich vs Sunderland Form
Ipswich come into the season with plenty of change to bed in. A major rebuild has seen the likes of Abdul Fatawu, Daizen Maeda and Emersonn arrive for a new-look front three, plus Fulham pair Issa Diop and Sasa Lukic. Sitting 12th in the form rankings, the new pieces need time to click.
Sunderland kept their powder dry after finishing 7th last term, adding experienced defender Thomas Meunier as their headline arrival. The engine room still leans on Granit Xhaka, with Enzo Le Fee pulling the strings and Brian Brobbey leading the line. They sit 19th in the form rankings, with the implied probability of an early statement result here making this a meaningful fixture.
Ipswich vs Sunderland Talking Points
Ipswich have demanded a "no-fear" attitude from their rebuilt squad ahead of a brutal opening run that sends Manchester United and Liverpool their way after this. Getting off the mark early matters, because points look scarce in the fixtures to come. Sunderland, meanwhile, have leaned into the underdog tag, preaching togetherness, hard work and tactical intensity as they kick off life back in the top flight with European nights to look forward to. With Ipswich's defence looking porous and Sunderland settled, this feels like an opener that will reward the more organised team. Both teams to score looks the safe read, but the visitors carry the edge in this one.
Ipswich vs Sunderland Predictions FAQs
What is the prediction for Ipswich vs Sunderland?
Check our match preview for full Ipswich vs Sunderland predictions, analysis, and recommended betting tips ahead of the English Premier League fixture.
Where is Ipswich vs Sunderland being played?
The Ipswich vs Sunderland match will take place at Portman Road.
What are the expected lineups for Ipswich vs Sunderland?
Expected lineups and team news for Ipswich vs Sunderland are updated in our match preview based on team announcements.
What are the latest betting odds for Ipswich vs Sunderland?
Betting odds for Ipswich vs Sunderland across major markets including match result and bet builder options are detailed in our match preview.
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