Ipswich Town hit by suspension and injury to key players for Newcastle United clash | OneFootball

Ipswich Town face Newcastle United on Saturday.

A massive win at Wolves last weekend saw Gary O’Neil sacked by the home club, whilst the three points gave the away side some hope of potentially beating the drop.

Ipswich Town though are still third bottom though, with only 12 points from 16 Premier League matches.

One of the biggest challenges of course, when it comes to promoted clubs surviving in the top tier, is scoring goals. Only Southampton and Everton have scored less than the 16 PL goals that Ipswich Town have managed in their 16 games.

Newcastle United of course have their own list of players who aren’t available on Saturday, with Joelinton (suspension), Lascelles, Botman, Wilson, Krafth and Pope all set to be unavailable this weekend.

However, for Ipswich Town they have a major issue in the most important area of the pitch.

Their talisman Liam Delap is suspended after picking up five yellows, whilst fellow striker George Hirst is injured. Between them, they have scored seven of Ipswich’s 16 Premier League goals this season, when you add in an own goal, that is half of their entire goals tally.

No other player has scored more than one goal, other than Sammy Szmodics. He has three PL goals this season but usually plays as an attacking midfielder and missed that win over Wolves through illness, with Ipswich Town hoping he will be ok for this Newcastle United match.

Other than pushing him up front in a centre-forward role, the only other option appears to be Nathan Broadhead. The 26 year old has only scored goals in the lower leagues, including on loan at Sunderland in League One, plus Ipswich Town have only given him 35 Premier League minutes this season, so clearly not somebody they feel they can rely on too much.

Ipswich Town also set to be without at least three other players, the injured Axel Tuanzebe, Janoi Donacien and Chiedozie Ogbene.

United have now scored 10 goals in their last three home matches, in all competitions, plus they have managed six in their last three aways. If Eddie Howe’s side can manage two or more goals on Saturday, you have to fancy that Ipswich Town will really struggle to match that, considering they struggle for goals anyway AND have the likes of Liam Delap and George Hirst unavailable as well.

Newcastle United upcoming matches:

Saturday 21 December – Ipswich v Newcastle (3pm)

Thursday 26 December – Newcastle v Villa (3pm) Amazon

Monday 30 December – Man U v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports

Saturday 4 January – Tottenham v Newcastle (12.30pm) TNT Sports

Sunday 12 January – Newcastle v Bromley (3pm) BBC iPlayer (FA Cup)

Wednesday 15 January – Newcastle v Wolves (7.30pm) TNT Sports

Saturday 18 January – Newcastle v Bournemouth (12.30pm) TNT Sports

Saturday 25 January – Southampton v Newcastle (3pm)