Ipswich vs AFC Wimbledon Predictions

Try as they did, promotion-favourites Ipswich were unable to register their second win of the season last time out, though as they found themselves a goal down late on, a share of the spoils probably won’t have disappointed boss Paul Lambert too much. Wimbledon, who got their first point on Saturday, go to Portman Road in search of their first win of the campaign.

Despite scoring as early as the 4^th minute, Ipswich could only draw at the weekend, though if we examine their efforts closely, it’s easy to feel that there’s positives to take. Going forward, the Tractor Boys were the better team, as they posted 1.53 expected goals for and took 16 shots, no less than eight of which hit the target. In contrast, Lambert’s men conceded 0.91 expected goals, though they didn’t exactly restrict Peterborough, as they surrendered 11 shots, seven of which tested keeper Tomas Holy.

In truth, it’s been a bit of a mixed start for the side that came into the campaign as title favourites; they’ve certainly not been poor, but their attacking efforts have been a bit subdued, while they seem to be developing a habit of conceding goals when on top. Despite outplaying Sunderland just over a week ago, Ipswich conceded, while they shipped twice against Peterborough last time out.

As an average of 1.16 expected goals for suggests, Ipswich haven’t been overly creative, though they have at least been giving less away, surrendering an average of 0.72. Such figures can act as a solid base from which to build.

Wimbledon picked up their first point of the campaign on Saturday, but they were once again poor. For the first time this term, Wally Downes’ men dictated the play by seeing more of the ball, but they failed to create many clear-cut opportunities, as an expected goals figure of 0.44 suggests. Not only did they struggle to make offensive headway, but they allowed their opponents to create more than them for the third match in a row.

The lack of attacking invention shown by the Dons over the first few weeks doesn’t exactly bode well ahead of a match against an Ipswich side that hasn’t given much away.

From a betting point of view, ‘Ipswich to Win & Under 3.5 Goals’ looks a solid option. In terms of quality, Ipswich are undoubtedly a better side than Wimbledon, while they’ve also done a better job of outplaying their opponents in terms of both shots and chances created. That said, we shouldn’t expect the hosts to run riot, as they’ve not exactly been overly flamboyant in the final third, while Wimbledon, for all their issues, don’t often receive a battering.