Ipswich Town vs Wolves: Match Preview - Can Ipswich Claw Back Ground On Their Relegation Rivals?

As the Premier League nears its conclusion in May, this weekend’s fixture list provides a blockbuster clash at the bottom of the table. Ipswich Town host Wolves in a tremendously important match for the Tractor Boys. Ipswich sit in 18th place in the English top-flight, with Vitor Pereira’s Wolves their main relegation rivals as West Ham sit 14 points clear of the drop in 16th.

However, since the appointment of Pereira, Wolves have looked rejuvenated, clawing themselves out of the relegation spots as they look for an eighth successive season in the Premier League. Matheus Cunha has been crucial for the Wanderers – scoring 13 league goals, but after picking up a red card in the FA Cup against Bournemouth, Wolves will be without the Brazilian for this crucial game.

Now, as the two sides meet at Portman Road on Saturday, Ipswich sit nine points behind the Midlands club, with Kieran McKenna’s club looking to win back-to-back games for the first time this season and Wolves wanting to solidify their place above the drop, as both sides require nothing less than three points as it sets up to be a relegation decider.

Superb On The South Coast

Ipswich Town were without a Premier League in 2025 and winless in the league since December before travelling to the Vitality Stadium on Wednesday night. McKenna’s side facing a Bournemouth side that remained four points behind 5th placed Manchester City and needed a win to stay in the fight for European football next season. Despite the home side dominating the game in all departments statistically, the Tractor Boys came out as 2-1 winners. 2 shots on target with Nathan Broadhead and Liam Delap the goal-scorers, McKenna’s team perfectly executed the game-plan away from home.

Once again, Delap was the man to catch the headlines, the Englishman scoring his 11th league goal in 29 top-flight appearances. The 22-year-old is an ‘old-school’ striker, a wide and athletic specimen that perfectly uses his body to complement his game. Due to the home side’s dominance, Delap only made 40 touches in the fixture and had just one shot, but the former Manchester City man only needed one shot, smashing past Kepa Arizabalaga to net the game’s decisive goal. Delap’s future lies in the Premier League, no matter the future of McKenna’s side but if Ipswich are to stay in the top-flight, Delap will have had a huge role, the striker playing his part in securing all three points on the south coast by frustrating the home side and winning four free kicks.

An excellent run from Julio and brilliantly taken by Broady. 🙌#BOUIPS pic.twitter.com/fKDXBmq8vU

— Ipswich Town (@IpswichTown) April 2, 2025

Alongside Delap, Julio Enciso had his best performance in Ipswich, playing a large part in the first goal. The Paraguayan is still yet to score since joining on loan from Brighton in January. However, against Bournemouth, Enciso provided his second assist for the Tractor Boys, profiting after a skillful and mazy run before finding Broadhead, who would slot home through the legs of Arizabalaga. The Brighton loanee’s energy and flair in the Ipswich attack was vital, and Enciso may have to play a significant role in the Tractor Boys’ bid to stay in the division.

Four Unbeaten For Wolves

On the other hand, Wolves have been in fine form as they meet Ipswich. With a favourable fixture list in recent weeks, Pereira’s side have not looked depleted since the absence of Cunha. Similarly to Ipswich’s success on the south coast, the Midlands side’s run began with a 1-0 victory away against Bournemouth before Wolves’ form halted with a 2-1 defeat at home against Fulham. However, since the home loss, the Wanderers have gone on to draw with Everton and pick up back-to-back victories against Southampton and West Ham.

Jorgen Strand Larsen has hit form at the right time for Pereira’s side, the Norweigan scoring three goals in his last two games as he becomes the main man without Cunha. Strand Larsen offers Wolves a tall and direct forward who can pose a threat to central defenders due to his strength and aerial prowess, alongside his ability to join or lead a counter-attack with pace. Averaging 0.42 goals per 90 in the league, the 25-year-old will hope to add to his goal tally at Portman Road.

Another player who has thrived in Wolves’ previous fixtures has been Jean-Ricner Bellegarde. Arriving at Molineux in the summer of 2023, Bellegarde had struggled to show his best in orange, scoring two goals and providing one assist in his debut season at the club. Under Pereira, it has been a different story for the Haitian midfielder, the 26-year-old becoming a key player in the squad. In his last three games, Bellegarde has recorded three assists, with a standout performance coming against Southampton – the midfielder assisting both of Wolves’ goals. As the Midlands side travel to Ipswich at the weekend, Bellegarde will be key in unlocking a robust and resilient home defence.

After an excellent March, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde has been nominated for @premierleague Player of the Month.

Vote for JRB ⤵️

— Wolves (@Wolves) March 27, 2025

What Could A Win Do For Ipswich?

Hosting a relegation rival in a potential season-defining fixture, it is the biggest weekend of the season for Ipswich. Money, signings, reputation, and the chance to compete with England’s giants on the line. While a win does not take them out of the drop zone and there will be plenty of work that still needs to be done. McKenna’s side simply cannot allow Wolves to re-extend the gap and need to take another three points towards safety, weakening their rivals at the same time.