Ipswich vs Sunderland — Tips & Analysis

Under 2.5: Sunderland barely score, and that is the simplest reason to want a quiet game. They score just over a goal a game and have won by 2 or more only once in their last 17. 10 of those 17 games finished with fewer than 3 goals. Ipswich are built the same way. They have won 7, tied 6 and lost only 1 of their last 14, and they let in less than a goal a game. At Portman Road they were unbeaten, with 4 wins and 3 ties, and they let in less than a goal a game there too. Six ties in 14 games tells you how these games tend to go. Opening day suits this as well. Ipswich have not played a competitive game in 112 days and Sunderland last played 20 days ago. Rust and caution should slow the first hour. Sunderland are without Adingra, and Ipswich have Matusiwa and Taylor in doubt. A 1-1 is the likeliest score, and two goals keeps this comfortable. There are two things to watch. Ipswich's numbers all come from the Championship, so a step up in level could stretch a defense that has not faced this quality. Their games still averaged more than 2 goals across that run. We are happy to back the quiet game here.