Ipswich v West Ham preview: Team news, lineups, supercomputer prediction
West Ham United and Ipswich Town have nothing to play for on the face of it when they meet at Portman Road this Sunday.
The Tractor Boys’ relegation from the Premier League was confirmed some time ago as they head for the Championship.
As for the Hammers, they have lingered in the bottom half of the table for most of the season, but cannot go down.
However, both teams will want to end the season on a high note in front of their respective supporters.
Preview
The final game of the season often throws up the strangest of results, and it would be unsurprising if Ipswich and West Ham followed suit.
The East London club enter the match on the back of a 2-1 home defeat to Nottingham Forest, where they did not wake up until late in the second half.
The Irons currently occupy 15th position, but could rise above Wolves to 14th if they win and results go their way.
However, a defeat could mean that Graham Potter’s side fall as far as 17th, although that would rely on Man United and Tottenham both winning.
| Position | Team | Played | Points |
| 13th | Everton | 37 | 45 |
| 14th | Wolves | 37 | 41 |
| 15th | West Ham | 37 | 40 |
| 16th | Man United | 37 | 39 |
| 17th | Tottenham | 37 | 38 |
While the Hammers were poor under Julen Lopetegui, they have been dire under Potter, and he has been unable to change the East London club’s fortunes.
On paper, Ipswich are the perfect opponents as they are winless in seven, but they will want to send the Portman Road faithful home on a high.
Team news
Michael Antonio remains a long-term absentee for the Hammers following the car crash that ended his season.
Another player who will miss the game is Crysencio Summerville, who is recovering from surgery on a hamstring injury.
Kieran McKenna will be without former Hammers loanee Kalvin Phillips, Ari Muric, Chiedozie Ogbene, Wes Burns and Jaden Philogene through injury.
The Tractor Boys also have doubts over the fitness of Cameron Burgess, Conor Townsend and Sammie Szmodics.
Predicted lineups
Ipswich: Palmer, Tuanzebe, O’Shea, Greaves, Davis, Morsy, Cajuste, Hutchinson, Enciso, Clarke, Hirst
West Ham: Areola, Todibo, Kilman, Cresswell, Coufal, Ward-Prowse, Rodriguez, Wan-Bissaka, Soucek, Bowen, Kudus
Form guide
Ipswich: LLDLL
West Ham: DLDWL
Supercomputer prediction
West Ham head into the encounter as favourites with a 42 per cent chance of winning, according to Opta’s supercomputer.
As for Ipswich, they are given a 33.5 per cent chance of victory, meaning a draw is 24.5 per cent likely.