Ipswich vs Watford Prediction: Great price for correct score

Ipswich Town’s promotion charge suffered a bitter blow on Saturday afternoon as they were beaten by East Anglian rivals Norwich City. It’s now 15 years since they beat the Canaries, but more importantly, that result handed top spot back to Leicester City. With a game in hand, the Foxes are now the obvious favourites to go up, but the Tractor Boys were handed a reprieve as Coventry City beat Leeds United at the CBS Arena. 

It means that Ipswich’s fate is still in their own hands as they host Watford at Portman Road on Wednesday night (19:45, Sky Sports Red Button). Below you can find my Ipswich vs Watford prediction, featuring team news and match odds. 

Team News

Kieran McKenna could look to shake things up in the attacking areas after an off-colour showing at Carrow Road. Jeremy Sarmiento may come back into the team from the start, while there is an outside chance that Ali Al-Hamadi replaces Kieffer Moore, who hasn’t scored in his last four. Harry Clarke could also come in at right-back.

Tom Cleverley has enjoyed a positive start to life as a manager, and is likely to name a similar team to the one that has drawn their last two games. Mileta Rajovic could be brought into the XI, especially if he goes for a front two rather than a three for this tough away match. 

Match Odds

Ipswich are the clear favourites for this match, priced at 2/5 to take the points. That gives them an implied win probability of 71% for this home fixture. Meanwhile Watford are priced at 11/2, and a draw can be backed at 16/5, BTTS is 8/11 and over 2.5 goals is 4/7. 

Ipswich to win and BTTS @ 15/8

Although Ipswich lost at the weekend, I believe we can move past that result. It was a one-off derby game, and they were playing a team they simply never beat. They’ve been almost perfect at home, winning 15 of their 20 league matches at Portman Road this term. In that time they’ve scored a ridiculous 56 goals, which is 10 more than any other side has managed at home in 2023/24. 

I expect them to get back to winning ways here, against an improving Watford side. Despite the Hornets' upturn in form under Cleverley, they could find life tough here, but they have shown good attacking intent so far under his reign. Both teams have scored in four of the last six Watford games, and I think they can find the net, even in defeat, against one of the best teams we have ever seen at this level.

Ipswich 3-2 Watford @ 20/1

It’s Ipswich’s scoreline this season. Southampton, Bristol City, Swansea, Plymouth, Wolves and Cardiff have all been beaten 3-2 by Ipswich this season, and every single one of those 3-2 wins has come at Portman Road. The Southampton win was the latest and most dramatic of the lot given the pressure on both sides, but this result is far more likely than the 20/1 price suggests in my opinion. 

Ipswich are the best attacking side in the division and can score goals at will, with 84 to their name already. But they do sacrifice defensive solidity in the process, with the likes of Leif Davis flying forward from left-back. Watford are also capable of being involved in high-scoring games against good opponents, with their matches against Leeds and West Brom both ending 2-2 in recent weeks. All of this leads me to believe that the 3-2 scoreline is worth a punt once again. 

Ipswich should come out with the points, but once again it won’t be an easy watch for the home faithful. 

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