Premier League: Impressive Young Duo Prepares for New Year Combat

Fulham vs Ipswich Town

This is a tale of two highly impressive young managers making their mark in the Premier League. This SBOTOP writer has been heartily impressed by what both Marco Silva and Kieran McKenna are achieving at Fulham and Ipswich Town respectively – two clubs who are making life difficult for opponents, even those who operate on a very different stratosphere when it comes to resources.

Maintaining a mid-table position in the top-flight would represent a super achievement for both men yet, as they seek early Premier League 2025 highlights this weekend, one suspects neither will settle for that.

 

Talking Points

Fulham are currently enjoying their best spell of the season with draws against Arsenal, against leaders Liverpool at Anfield when they produced a performance of composure and character, and most recently a Boxing Day win at neighbours and rivals Chelsea – their first victory at Stamford Bridge since 1979.

Their final game of the calendar year was a 2-2 draw at home to Bournemouth, a game they were minutes from winning but, nevertheless, a result which extended their unbeaten league run to seven matches.

Just two points off champions Manchester City, the Cottagers are even being spoken about in the race for a European berth which, given the players they have sold over the last 18 months, is impressive in itself.

A word also for left-back Antonee Robinson. Only Mohamed Salah and Bukayo Saka have more assists than Robinson’s seven, all from open play. He’s quick, aggressive, accurate with his delivery and reliable in defencive one-on-ones. If injuries and/or suspensions don’t take their toll, just maybe, a European berth will be achievable.

As for Ipswich, it is clear their sole ambition this term is to survive in what is their first season in the top-flight for 22 years. There’s a pragmatic realisation that 17^th place will suffice, especially for a squad which still contains a large number of its League One promotion players from two years ago.

Yet if the on-loan one-time England midfielder Kalvin Phillips can stamp some authority on games, their aim can be realised. Then perhaps the East Anglians will look to taking the next step and becoming an established midtable club.

Certainly, in McKenna, Ipswich know they have a special talent who has worked wonders during his three years at the club. Their final outing of 2024 saw them secure their best win of the season, 2-0 at home to Chelsea, so confidence will be high.

The Tractor Boys, as they are affectionately known, have rarely been outclassed this term but have drawn too many games. A sharper edge in the second half of the campaign, plus a couple more victories at home, they can accomplish a tale that not even the most optimistic fan would have predicted back when McKenna (or any manager for that matter) took over the reins in December 2021.

 

History 

Not until 1961 did these sides meet in the top-flight. In fact, only nine of their 32 meetings have been at the top level of English football. The first ever game was in Division Two in October 1954 when Fulham were 4-2 winners at Portman Road. Indeed, it took eight years and nine games until the Tractor Boys got the better of the Cottagers. That was in October 1962 when Ipswich won 2-1 at Craven Cottage.

Their inaugural Premier League meeting in October 2001 finished 1-1 as Barry Hayles and Jermaine Wright traded goals in west London. Until a few months ago, they had not met in the league since the Championship in 2018 when a Joe Garner goal was cancelled out and overturned as Fulham scored four times in a brutal seven minutes to record a 4-1 success, as Ryan Sessegnon and Aboubakar Kamara grabbed a brace apiece.

They have met twice in the League Cup since then, most recently in the fourth round last November when Harry Wilson, Rodrigo Muniz, and Tom Cairney were on target in a 3-1 win at Portman Road.

Their first ever Premier League clash in August ended 1-1 as Liam Delap’s fine opener was cancelled out by Adama Traore.

 

Betting Tip 

Put your money on the Cottagers with our Premier League 2025 betting odds. You can opt for 1X2 @ 1.44 or Asian Handicap -1.00 @ 1.81 among the options, while Ipswich are priced much further adrift 1X2 @ 5.90 and Asian Handicap +1.00 @ 2.09. Another draw will pay out @ 4.16, while another 1-1 draw is on offer @ 8.20 with Correct Score.

Two teams who like to attack with a panache which reflects the ethos of their managers, goal options include Total Goals 0-1 @ 3.70, 2-3 @ 2.04, 4-6 @ 2.88, and Over 2.75 @ 1.90.

I think the hosts will edge the contest and mybet is Half Time Full Time Draw Home @ 4.78.

   

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