As we welcome the new year, football enthusiasts are preparing for a compelling Championship clash at the bet365 Stadium in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire. Stoke City will host Ipswich on January 1, 2024, as both teams battle for crucial league points. This matchup presents an intriguing start to the year for fans and bettors alike.
Match analysis
Placed near the bottom of the table, Stoke City needs to rebound after a string of mixed results. With a recent form of DWDDD, consistency remains an issue. Their performance shows resilience in drawing games, but a lack of wins is a worrying sign. Stoke’s ability to find the net has been sporadic, and defensively, they have been somewhat sturdy, conceding only once in most of their recent fixtures.
Ipswich, on the other hand, is enjoying a robust campaign, occupying 2nd in the league standings. Despite a slip-up against Leeds with a crushing 4-0 defeat, their recent form boasts DDLDW, and they have proven their mettle by pulling off victories against strong sides. Scoring seems to come more naturally for Ipswich compared to their hosts, and their goal difference in recent games is indicative of a more efficient attack.
Recent form
In the last ten outings, Stoke City has secured a win percentage of 20% with 2 wins, 50% of matches ending in draws, and 30% in losses. Goals have been fairly scarce, with the club scoring in half of these outings but managing only one goal each time. Their defensive side has been slightly more impressive, conceding more than one goal in only 30% of these games.
Ipswich has displayed a stronger run of form, winning 40% of their last ten games, drawing 30%, and losing the remaining 30%. The team has shown considerable defensive competence, keeping clean sheets in 40% of these matches. They've also been more assertive in front of goal, netting multiple goals in 40% of the games.
Head to head
- Ipswich clearly has the upper hand in recent encounters against Stoke City.
- The last head-to-head match resulted in a 2-0 victory for Ipswich.
- Stoke City has struggled to score against Ipswich, failing to net in their most recent fixture.
- Outcomes from the last three encounters: one win for Stoke, one draw, and one win for Ipswich (33.3% Stoke wins, 33.3% draws, and 33.3% Ipswich wins).
Prediction
Considering the statistics, current form, and head-to-head record, the betting tip leans towards Ipswich, given their impressive league position and their recent win over Stoke. It is advisable to back Ipswich on a Double Chance (win or draw) to cover the potential of a tight game—a common characteristic of Stoke's recent outings. Furthermore, the Under 2.5 Goals market might be attractive due to Stoke’s low-scoring nature and defensive form.
For adventurous bettors, a Correct Score bet favoring a narrow Ipswich win, such as a 1-0 or 2-1 result, could provide value, in alignment with the patterns observed in both teams' recent matches.
Betting Tip: Double Chance – Ipswich or Draw
Secondary Tip: Under 2.5 Goals
Longshot Tip: Correct Score – Ipswich to win 1-0 or 2-1
Please remember to gamble responsibly, and note that while predictions are made with available data and analysis, there are no guaranteed outcomes in sports betting.
