Preston North End — Ipswich Town : Match Preview and Prediction for August 23,2025

Preston’s Impressive Momentum

Preston is in formidable form, a fact emphatically underlined by their last-round victory. A compelling 2-1 win over Leicester City, a team recently relegated from the Premier League, speaks volumes about their current prowess. The Lilywhites truly outplayed the Foxes, a point reinforced by the xG statistics: 2.25 for Preston against just 1.11 for their opponents.

Unbeaten Start and Home Fortress

Paul Heckingbottom’s squad remains unbeaten this season, having collected four points from their opening two fixtures. Their strength is particularly evident on home turf. Deepdale Stadium is nothing short of a fortress, with Preston having suffered only four home defeats since the start of last season – a stellar record within the Championship.

Navigating Squad Challenges

While the team does contend with some personnel issues, with several key players, including Jordan Thompson and Robbie Brady, sidelined, Preston impressively managed to overcome Leicester. It is anticipated that the same cohesive and confident lineup from that victorious match will feature against Ipswich.

Ipswich’s Stuttering Start

Ipswich, on the other hand, is currently faltering. Kieran McKenna’s squad, expected to contend for a swift return to the Premier League, has kicked off the season with two uninspiring 1-1 draws. Victories have eluded them so far. However, this is merely the surface; a deeper dive reveals a rather bleak picture for the Tractor Boys.

A Worrying Winless Streak

Consider these statistics: Ipswich has secured a mere single victory in their last 21 league matches. One win in twenty-one outings… Furthermore, the team has failed to keep a clean sheet in any of these fixtures. This is no longer just a dip in form; it’s a protracted crisis.

Deepdale Woes Continue

Adding to their woes, Ipswich has a particularly poor record at Deepdale. The visitors have triumphed in only 2 of their last 16 away encounters against Preston. Their most recent visit in February 2024 resulted in a 2-3 defeat. The head-to-head history is clearly not in their favour.