“Must-Win to Survive”: Paul Merson Shares Concerning Prediction for Ipswich Town vs Leicester City Match

Leicester City’s start to the 2024/25 season has been inconsistent, leaving the team at risk of slipping into a relegation battle.

The Foxes were recently defeated 3-1 by Nottingham Forest in the Premier League and suffered a comprehensive loss to Manchester United in the Carabao Cup.

This recent defeat has intensified speculation around Steve Cooper’s future, making Leicester’s upcoming match feel like a must-win scenario.

Currently, Leicester sits in 15th place in the Premier League, just five points clear of the relegation zone, creating added pressure as they look to avoid being dragged down further.

Meanwhile, their opponents, Ipswich Town, have been struggling to adjust since their return to the top flight.

Ipswich is yet to secure a league win this season and occupies the 18th position in the division, with four draws and five losses from their first nine games.

Paul Merson’s Prediction: Ipswich Town vs Leicester City

Ipswich Town enters the match hoping for a breakthrough, as a win could lift them out of the bottom three and bring them within two points of Leicester.

In a recent prediction on Sportskeeda, Paul Merson shared his thoughts on the matchup and voiced his concerns over Ipswich’s ongoing winless streak.

Reflecting on Ipswich’s recent 3-3 draw-turned-loss against Brentford, Merson noted, “Ipswich Town were 2-0 up, went 3-2 down, then made it 3-3 with four minutes left, but still ended up losing! That kind of result makes me wonder when teams like Ipswich and Southampton will finally secure their first win.”

Merson added that if Ipswich loses to Leicester, they will fall eight points behind them with 10 games gone, making it increasingly difficult to recover.

“This is a cup final for Ipswich,” he said, hinting at the importance of the game.

He predicted a 2-1 win for Ipswich, suggesting that Leicester’s recent loss to Nottingham Forest may have dented their confidence.

Merson also highlighted how Nottingham Forest serves as a reminder of the advantages teams can gain by avoiding relegation. “If you stay up, the gap between Championship teams and yours widens.

Look at Crystal Palace—two important wins, and they’re no longer worried about relegation,” he observed.

Merson concluded that this game is critical for both Ipswich and Leicester if they hope to remain in the Premier League.

Will Leicester City Dismiss Steve Cooper After Ipswich?

Following the midweek defeat to Manchester United, frustration among Leicester fans has grown, with some calling for Cooper’s dismissal.

Since joining over the summer, the 46-year-old manager has faced challenges in gaining the support of the fan base, especially due to Leicester’s defensive struggles, which have left them vulnerable.

Should Leicester lose to a winless Ipswich, as Merson predicts, Cooper will undoubtedly face increased scrutiny.

However, whether such a result would prompt Leicester’s management to part ways with him this month remains uncertain.

The coming games may determine Cooper’s future, especially if Leicester fails to pull away from the relegation zone.