Ipswich have conceded in each of their past 18 Premier League games, with their last shutout coming in a 2-0 win over Chelsea in December.
Not since a spell between January and May 2019 have Town had a longer run without a league clean sheet (19).
West Ham's Jarrod Bowen – who could make his 200th Premier League appearance in this match – has either scored (four) or assisted (two) a goal in all five of his league games against Ipswich Town.
He got a goal and an assist in the Hammers' 4-1 victory in the reverse fixture this season.
McKenna on Delap, Luongo and summer planspublished at 15:43 BST 23 May 2025
15:43 BST 23 May 2025
Holly Bacon BBC Sport journalist
Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against West Ham (kick-off 16:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
On Liam Delap's future, McKenna said: "Liam is looking at his options for next year which he's entitled to do and we support him with that. We've given him permission to do that this week, it is a very important decision for his future. There's a lot of interest and rightly so. Part of his week has been having some of those conversations and it looks more likely than not that he'll move on this summer and he has interest from pretty much every club in the league."
Adding more on the striker, McKenna said: "In terms of attributes I think he's as good as what there is out there anywhere in the world and he has honed and developed them well this year and we hope he continues to do so."
McKenna also confirmed midfielder Massimo Luongo will leave the club at the end of his contract this summer.
On team news, McKenna said: "Kalvin Phillips is seeing a specialist for his Achilles issue to hopefully get that sorted in the off-season. Sammie Szmodics is back training with the group but we have to decide on availability. The long-termers are still out and there's a little bit of sickness in the camp so we've had a few off and struggling with that."
McKenna praised Dara O'Shea, who was named the club's Player of the Year. He said his performances have been good and his character has been outstanding, adding: "We're glad to have him here going forward and he's the type of personality, person and player you want to build the next few years around."
On retaining the core of his squad: "Some element of change and turnover is healthy but we know we have some really good players on long term contracts who are much better for the experience that they have been through. Looking at the squad coming back for pre-season there's good numbers, good qualities there and of course situations can change a little bit over the summer but I think we're going to be in a really strong position from that point of view."
McKenna stressed the importance of finishing the season with a good result: "To me it genuinely feels like there's lots to play for in the last game in many different aspects. We can't guarantee the result in any level of football, certainly not the Premier League, but we need to guarantee the commitment we give to the performance and do everything to reward the supporters with a good day, so that's what we are going to try to do."
Pick your Ipswich player of the seasonpublished at 12:26 BST 21 May 2025
12:26 BST 21 May 2025
Seb Brown Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
We asked our Ipswich fan contributor for their four candidates for player of the season and you can now select your top one.
Liam Delap
Our top scorer of the season with 12 goals and counting. His ability to lead the line, create chances for himself and occupy defenders is a throwback to a previous era of centre forwards. He has been excellent this season and will have his choice of top clubs this summer.
Dara O'Shea
Probably the most consistent performer at the club this season. He is strong in the air, brave and provides excellent leadership qualities, as proven by his appointment as captain when Sam Morsy is absent. Comfortable in both a back four and back three, he has proved an excellent addition for only £12m.
Omari Hutchinson
Arguably has the highest ceiling among the current squad and has shown two seasons of remarkable development. His ability to carry the ball up the field and selfless work off the ball will see him go to the very top of the game. Three goals and two assists do not do his performances justice.
Jens Cajuste
Cajuste has provided dynamism in midfield with an effortless ability to spin opposition players, create space and drive forward with the ball. An athletic presence in the centre of the pitch, he would have been a steal at the pre-arranged £10m transfer fee had Ipswich stayed up.
Honourable mentions
Luke Woolfenden and Cameron Burgess.The first-choice centre-back pairing for the back-to-back promotion campaigns. Both have looked comfortable at this level with Woolfenden's calmness on the ball and Burgess' aerial dominance being the key highlights.
Manchester United lead the race to sign Delap, but defeat in the Europa League final and consequential inability to offer him European football next season would hand Chelsea the advantage. (ESPN), external
Can Ipswich 'flip the switch' and 'deliver'?published at 12:37 BST 20 May 2025
12:37 BST 20 May 2025
Seb Brown Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
It will be a busy summer of change at Ipswich as Town look to bounce back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
Should Sheffield United win the play-off final then the three relegated sides will be the only ones in receipt of parachute payments in the Championship next season.
The debate around the financial disparity in English football is a worthwhile one, but for once Ipswich find themselves on the right side of the line and they must take full advantage of it.
With the previously magical two points per game number now not seemingly being enough to guarantee automatic promotion there can be no slow start to the 2025-26 campaign. Ipswich must find a way to flip the switch and change a losing mentality into a winning one quickly.
New player arrivals will be the obvious biggest influence on this. Stalwarts of the double promotion seasons will move on with Massimo Luongo, Marcus Harness, Axel Tuanzebe and Cameron Burgess all looking likely to be playing elsewhere next year. Fan favourites such as Nathan Broadhead could also depart as the squad undergoes a refresh. Two central midfielders, two defenders and at least one striker are all needed this summer.
The jewel in the crown, for me, will be Kieran McKenna. Some 12 months ago, he was being linked with some of the biggest clubs in the country, and while he has been exposed tactically at times this season, his record in the EFL is extraordinary.
Having him at the helm with new player arrivals and the financial advantage of parachute payments should see Ipswich as favourites to win automatic promotion next season. It's fair to say 2023-24 was an incredible season with so many memories. The pressure was never on Ipswich in that promotion race; however, next season, the expectations will be present from day one, and the club will need to deliver.
Leicester 2-0 Ipswich - fans' verdictpublished at 11:07 BST 19 May 2025
11:07 BST 19 May 2025
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your views on Ipswich's Premier League match against Leicester.
Here are some of your comments:
Wasim: Very poor from Ipswich, some of the players don't even look Championship standard. To only take two points from the relegated teams points to why they're in the bottom three.
Kris: Simple - not good enough at any point this season. One plan, one formation, many injuries. Survival was an unlikely outcome in August and too many factors changed the odds to impossible.
Terry: Like the rest of the season - many shots but not many on target.
Ewen: Story of our season - managed to get into good positions but not capitalise, then concede soft goals. This time a slip slightly unfortunately exposed us for the first and igniting the Vardy party!
James: The three promoted teams from last season are so poor, it will be interesting to see if they are able to avoid immediate relegation into League One.
Ipswich had 20 shots in their defeat to Leicester City today, their most in a Premier League game this season. The only newly promoted side to record as many in an away game in the competition this term are Leicester in the reverse fixture at Portman Road (20).
Sutton's predictions: Leicester City v Ipswich Townpublished at 16:56 BST 17 May 2025
16:56 BST 17 May 2025
Leicester were really good against Nottingham Forest last week once Ruud van Nistelrooy had made some substitutions, but they were terrible before he changed things.
It took a 94th-minute equaliser from Jordan Ayew to deny Ipswich a win when Leicester came to Portman Road in November but that was when both sides were still fighting to stay up, which feels like an awfully long time ago now.
What a desperate game this is for both teams, because the only prize for the winner is 18th place.
I am backing Leicester to take it, and it would be fitting for Jamie Vardy to mark his final game for the club with his 200th Foxes goal.
McKenna on 'competitive' season, Phillips and 'frustration' published at 16:08 BST 16 May 2025
16:08 BST 16 May 2025
Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Leicester (kick-off 15:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
On team news: "Nathan Broadhead been back training which is a positive but not much change elsewhere. Kalvin Phillips is still struggling and won't be available".
On Phillips, he added: "He arrived at Ipswich having not played football for a few seasons before. He had a fairly stable run of games at the start but since the gash on his foot, he hasn't been fully fit. There will be bits he will take away from this season but he is unlikely to play again in the last two games."
McKenna feels that Ipswich have had a "competitive" season but there is some "frustration that will be carried into the summer". He added: "There is not one thing to solve but there have been small margins where we could have won more home games but the motivation is still there for Sunday."
He knows that there will always be moments on the pitch that alter your course in the season but that signings and injuries play a role too. He can only change the future and wants to learn from the lessons of this season.
When asked about the future of players at the club, he said: "Everyone's focus has been around the remaining games. There have been very few conversations with the players about next year and the future, they will take place next week."
Liam Delap being nominated for the young player of the season award is "well deserved" and a positive thing for both Delap and the club.
68% of Ipswich's points in the Premier League this season have come away from home (15 of 22). As it stands, it is the highest share of points a team has won on the road in a single campaign in top-flight history.
Premier League young player award nomineespublished at 15:23 BST 15 May 2025
15:23 BST 15 May 2025
Image source, Getty Images
In addition to Premier League manager and player of the season, the shortlist for young player has also been announced.
Chelsea's Cole Palmer is in the running to win the award for the second year in a row.
The 23-year-old forward has 15 goals and eight assists in 35 appearances.
Liverpool's Ryan Gravenberch and Liam Delap, who has scored 12 of Ipswich's 35 goals, are also on the eight-player shortlist.
The other nominees are Anthony Elanga (Nottingham Forest), Dean Huijsen (Bournemouth), Joao Pedro (Brighton), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), and William Saliba (Arsenal).
Ipswich Q&A: Is there a chance Delap could stay?published at 14:45 BST 15 May 2025
14:45 BST 15 May 2025
Graeme McLoughlin BBC Radio Suffolk sports editor
Image source, Getty Images
In part three of Thursday's Ipswich Q&A, our expert Graeme McLoughlin from BBC Radio Suffolk looks to the long-term plan and Liam Delap's future:
Gavin: Mark Ashton has talked a lot about the long-term plan. Did the Premier League come a season or two too early in the plan?
Graeme: I'm not sure the Premier League can ever come too early. Maybe it came too early in terms of having a realistic chance of staying up this time around, but I very much doubt that Mark Ashton, Kieran McKenna, the Town players and ownership group would opt to spend these last 9 months in the Championship if they could have their time over again. All will have learned majorly from this experience, and I would back the club to be much better prepared for the top flight should a return happen in the not too distant future.
AJ: Is there a chance Liam Delap could stay at Ipswich?
Graeme: The manager talked about this still being a possibility at a recent pre-match press conference, but if you forced me to call this one way or the other, I'd probably edge towards him leaving. He's hit double figures for goals in his first full season in the Premier League, at a club that have ultimately fallen well short of staying up. Delap has his suitors, and given his release clause, whoever gets his signature won't feel like they've broken the bank. The one thing that gives me the slightest bit of belief that he will stay is his relationship with Kieran McKenna and just how much his game has improved under him. Come on Liam, do the right thing, and help Town get back up at the first attempt!
Listen to The Blue Hour with Brenner Woolley every Monday and Matchday Preview with Graeme McLoughlin every Friday, along with live coverage of every Ipswich Town game, home and away, on BBC Radio Suffolk.
Ipswich Q&A: What is the summer priority?published at 12:06 BST 15 May 2025
12:06 BST 15 May 2025
Graeme McLoughlin BBC Radio Suffolk reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Throughout Thursday, BBC Radio Suffolk Graeme McLoughlin will be answering your questions in a special Ipswich Town Q&A.
In part two, he dives into Summer plans, recruitment and how not to do a 'Luton'.
Alex asked: What should Ipswich's priority be going into the summer?
Graeme: I'm fairly certain there will be incomings and outgoings in all positions, but it's probably the midfield area that requires looking at most. Town have good numbers in defence and in the final third, but in the middle of the park they'll lose loanees Kalvin Phillips and Jens Cajuste when the season ends, and possibly Massimo Luongo as well if his contract isn't renewed.
If Cajuste is interested in making his move a permanent one then I think the majority of supporters would be delighted with that. I'm confident Sam Morsy can also still play a major role. Kieran McKenna might have a decision to make on Jack Taylor and whether he is ready for more minutes, given more than two thirds of his appearances in Town colours have come as a substitute. If he's not seen as an out and out starter, then surely another body will be sought. Meanwhile, Cameron Humphreys will return from Wycombe off the back of his best season to date in terms or regular game time and influence on a team, but would he be ready to go in the second tier?
Peter asked: For 2025-26 stability of staff is key. How do we keep attracting quality players to improve the group when several are wanting to leave to continue their careers at the highest level of the game?
Graeme: While some players may want to leave this summer to remain at the highest level, I don't see there being a mass exodus at Portman Road. I also don't think Town will have any problems attracting quality players to improve the group this summer or in the years to come. The club has come a long way since the previous relegation (to League One in 2019). We didn't see a way back at that point, but despite this season's setback, Ipswich remains a club that is very much on the up, and one that plenty will want to play for.
Neil asked: How can we ensure that we don't do a Luton, but get promoted back to the Premier League at the end of next season?
Graeme: Win far more football matches than you lose!
In all seriousness Neil, I really can't see Town doing a Luton and going down again, but I also don't think it's a given that they will come straight back up with few problems. There will definitely be more of a target on Town's back, along with a pressure to be one of the frontrunners in the Championship, which is a pressure Kieran McKenna and his players didn't have when they shocked the division not so long ago.
Town need to recruit well again, have far more luck with injuries than they did this season, and also maintain the togetherness that continues to remain evident in the squad.
Nobby asked: When is the new kit released?
Graeme: I have no idea on a kit date but do wonder if Ed Sheeran might play a part here. He's playing three dates at Portman Road in July, and Town have three kits to release. Might he wear a different one for each gig? Again, I'm only speculating!
Image source, Getty Images
