Game Week 2 Predictions: Manchester City to baptize Ipswich with goals

Man City vs. Ipswich Town preview: Reigning champs face newly promoted Tractor Boys in what’s expected to be a one-sided clash at the Etihad Stadium.

The Tractor Boys must be brave when they travel to the Etihad but, a real hammering could be on the cards from the champions. (Photo credit: GOAL)

 Manchester City vs. Ipswich Town

Etihad Stadium

3:00pm

There will be five midday fixtures on Saturday right after Manchester United’s visit to the Amex. The peak of the bunch is the clash between the reigning champions Manchester City and the Premier League new boys, Ipswich Town.

On their return to Portman Road after 22 years of lower-tier football, the Tractor Boys proved to be a stubborn opponent. They faced back-to-back games against the big boys, which became easier after the first few fixtures. However, would Ipswich have emerged from the relegation zone by then?

Last weekend, Manchester City beat Chelsea 2-0, with one of Chelsea's old boys, Matteo Kovacic, scoring the second, a beauty of a strike that must leave questions for the expensively assembled midfield of the Blues, which the Croatian blitzed past on his way to the goal.

It wasn’t the best performance from the champions, but it was enough to see them record a good win as they start the defense of their title for the fourth time, aiming for fifth place in a row, which would break their own record of four.

No one will expect any magic here; it’s Manchester City’s to lose regardless of the confidence in the Ipswich Town camp. It’s a game many would expect to be one-sided; however, this is football, and we know too well that anything can happen.

Ipswich played exciting football against Liverpool and had chances of their own, which they fluffed as they came; decision-making was the difference between the Liverpool goals and the missed chances by the Tractor Boys. Knowing when to fold and when to unleash often sets teams apart.

Omari Hutchinson and Liam Delap would hope to impress again, with the latter returning to the team that gave him a name; the former City striker left the Etihad in search of first-team football; he must now prove his former employers wrong.

Ilkay Gundogan is back home after a financial crisis at Camp Nou. Savio should be available, according to Pep Guardiola, and there’s no truth in the rumored injury to Erling Haaland. It will be a full house for the champions against Ipswich.

Is it possible for the new players to inflict harm on City? It will take some balls, but it’s not impossible. If there’s anything that could motivate the Tractor Boys, it must be the fact they have only lost once to the Cityzens in their last five fixtures; they also relegated City in 2001, but that could also annoy City!

Verdict: A straight win. Manchester City