Ipswich v Nottingham Forest preview: kick-off time, team news and form
Ipswich Town host Nottingham Forest at Portman Road on Friday 23rd October, with kick-off at 8pm, as the Premier League returns under the lights for a Friday night clash.
There's plenty at stake for both sides in the bottom half of the table. Ipswich sit 10th with nine points from seven games, while Forest are down in 19th on five points, so a win for Gary O'Neil's side would open up some daylight between the two clubs and ease any lingering relegation concerns.
Form has been mixed for both. Ipswich arrive off the back of a narrow 3-2 defeat at Manchester City, having shown recent promise with wins over Crystal Palace and Fulham sandwiched around a loss to Everton - their form reads DWLLW. Forest's record of one win, two draws and four defeats (DLLWD) leaves them with the division's joint-worst points tally alongside their lowly position, and The Guardian notes that Forest's record after seven games is "eerily similar to last season" (The Guardian). Ipswich have scored 11 and conceded 15 in the league so far, while Forest have managed just five goals and shipped nine.
East Anglian Daily Times reports that Gary O'Neil has described Forest as a side "with an incredibly difficult style to play against" ahead of the visit to Portman Road (East Anglian Daily Times). The same publisher also quotes O'Neil discussing the threat of Liam Delap returning to face his former club, while stressing his side need to focus on more than just one man (East Anglian Daily Times). Ipswich attacker Chuba Akpom has said he is expecting a tough test from the visitors (East Anglian Daily Times).
On team news, Sports Mole reports that O'Neil could name an unchanged side for the match, with the Tractor Boys having impressed in their recent 3-2 contest (Sports Mole). The Ipswich Star adds that O'Neil has given a positive update on Sasa Lukic, confirming he will be fit to feature (Ipswich Star). For Forest, Sports Mole reports that the visitors are hopeful star player Morgan Gibbs-White will recover from a muscular injury in time to start, having missed a recent 1-0 defeat (Sports Mole).
Fans heading to Portman Road should also be aware that East Anglian Daily Times has reported Storm Austen is set to hit the area on matchday, with 49mph winds and a yellow weather warning in force (East Anglian Daily Times). ITFC.co.uk has encouraged supporters to arrive at the ground early for the fixture (ITFC.co.uk). Thomas Bramall has been confirmed as the referee for the contest, as reported by East Anglian Daily Times (East Anglian Daily Times).
Kick-off at Portman Road is 8pm on Friday 23rd October.
Written with the help of AI, using the match facts and the headlines from the publishers credited above. Each point links to the original report — tap the source name to read it in full.
