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Ipswich Town play the first of two pre-season friendlies on Saturday as they face Oxford United at the Kassam Stadium at lunchtime.
The Tractor Boys lost 2-1 to Osasuna in their first friendly, and will hope for a better result as they prepare for life back in the Premier League.
Meanwhile, Oxford suffered a contrasting fate in the Championship as they were relegated to League One, but the U's have won each of their three friendlies so far.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Oxford United vs. Ipswich Town key stats
- Oxford have won four of their last five games in all competitions (L1).
- Ipswich have won just once in four matches across all competitions (D2, L1).
- Both teams won 2-1 on home soil in the Championship last season.
Oxford United vs. Ipswich Town preview: Tractor Boys to be frustrated?
Oxford vs Ipswich — Tale of the Tape
| Oxford | vs | Ipswich |
|---|---|---|
| 22nd | Position | 2nd |
| 47 | Points | 84 |
| 45 | Goals For | 80 |
| 49 | Goals Against | 47 |
| 8 | Clean Sheets | 17 |
| 21st | Home / Away Rank | 7th |
Following Oxford's relegation, former Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey has been drafted in as their new manager.
An exciting young coach, the Welshman has got a tune from his squad in pre-season so far with three friendly wins out of three.
The U's have been busy this transfer window with as many as 12 players departing, mainly on free transfers, while the likes of Nik Prelec and Ruben Roosken have joined permanently.
Oxford boast no fresh injury concerns in the squad at the time of writing, but Frankie Kent and Tyler Goodrham are long-term absentees.
As for Ipswich, the likes of Kayne van Oevelen, Issa Diop, Emersonn, Abdul Fatawu and Daizen Maeda have all been signed to help bolster the squad.
Ari Muric, Ashley Young, Conor Townsend and Conor Chaplin have also left the club, while Kieran McKenna has been replaced by Gary O'Neil in the dugout.
The latter has managed in the Premier League before, but it will be a tough task for Ipswich to avoid the same fate as two seasons ago, where they were relegated.
Kasey McAteer appears to be the Tractor Boys' only fitness concern, but it is unknown what kind of team they will field with another friendly against Wycombe Wanderers later in the afternoon.
Oxford United vs. Ipswich Town form guide & betting tips
| Oxford | vs | Ipswich |
|---|---|---|
WLWWW |
Form | WDDWL |
| 12 | Goals For | 8 |
| 6 | Goals Against | 5 |
WWW |
Friendlies | L |
Whispers predicts: Oxford United 1-1 Ipswich Town
*odds unavailable at time of writing
While odds are currently unavailable, we suspect Ipswich will be the favourites to win with bookies given their Premier League status.
However, with Oxford at home and having higher fitness levels by being further on in pre-season, we can see Double chance – Oxford/Draw being our opening bet.
BTTS – Yes could also come through, as it has in all four friendlies both teams have been involved in.
Overall, we are predicting a Correct score – 1-1, which should have high odds and so could be worth a punt.
> Double chance – Oxford/Draw at N/A | Likelihood: Possible
> BTTS – Yes at N/A | Likelihood: Possible
> Correct score – 1-1 at N/A | Likelihood: Possible