Our prediction for this League 1 match:
There will be fireworks when Sunderland and Ipswich Town go head to head at Stadium of Light in the League One round 18. The Black Cats are on a three-game losing run, meaning that they are desperate to return to winning ways. Sunderland experienced all sorts of problems at the back in a 3-0 loss to Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough, but they are surely capable of matching the Tractor Boys on home soil.
Scotland international Ross Stewart, who has netted 10 goals so far this season, is widely expected to lead the line for the hosts. Ipswich Town, on the other hand, played out a goalless draw with Oxford United at the weekend. Considering that tired legs could prove to be a big problem for the visitors, we are tempted to put our money on the promotion-chasing Black Cats.
Highlighted Player (Will Grigg):
Wighan Athletic striker Will Grigg became a viral sensation during the European Championship in France but the chances are any avid football fan will have been well aware of his goalscoring exploits even before 2016. The 27-year-old forward began his career at Stratford Town but it was in Walsall that the world took notice of his presence after 27 goals in 99 performances for the club.
He first came to prominence during the 2012/13 season when he was voted the club’s Player of the Season and Players’ Player of the Season, but a loan spell at Milton Keynes Dons during his rather unfortunate two-year spell over at Brentford proved crucial for his career.
The total of 20 goals in 44 appearances at Stadium MK was where Wigan Athletic noticed the Northern Ireland man and moved in to sign him on a three year contract for a £1 million fee in 2015. ‘Will Grigg’s on Fire’ was the hit song of the Euro 2016 even though the Northern Ireland striker ended up not getting a chance to make a bow in the tournament.
Highlighted Team (Ipswich):
Ipswich Town are an English football club that was formed in 1878. Portman Road has been the home ground of Ipswich Town since 1894 and the capacity of the venue, which was expanded in 2002, is 30,311. The Tractor Boys compete in the Championship, but they used to play in the English Premier League in the past as well. Ipswich Town last appeared in the elite division in the 2001/2002 season.
Ipswich won the FA Cup in 1978, with the team beating Arsenal (1-0) in the title game. However, the club’s biggest success came in 1981 when they outplayed AZ Alkmaar in the UEFA Cup final. It has to be noted that the Tractor Boys have yet to suffer a loss at home ground in the European competitions.
Norwich City are regarded as Ipswich Town’s bitterest rivals and it is well known that the two sides take on each other in the East Anglian derby.