Julio Enciso one goal from equalling Marcus Bent's 2002 Ipswich record

Julio Enciso is tasked with carrying Ipswich Town’s survival hopes as they host Bournemouth at Portman Road this afternoon. According to the Daily Mail ^[1], the Paraguayan playmaker has found the net in both recent draws against Nottingham Forest and Hull City. If he scores again, he will become the first Ipswich player to net in three consecutive home Premier League games since Marcus Bent achieved the feat in 2002.

The Guardian ^[2] has published the confirmed lineups for the 2pm kick-offs, showing that Enciso starts alongside Maeda and Philogene-Bidace in a creative trio. Ipswich’s home form has been respectable, with only Liverpool managing to take all three points from Portman Road so far. However, the pressure is mounting on the Tractor Boys to turn their fortress into a true stronghold if they wish to avoid relegation.

Their opponents, Bournemouth, arrive in formidable form. The Daily Mail ^[1] notes that the Cherries are hunting for an eighth consecutive victory, a run that includes wins against AC Milan, Manchester United, and Aston Villa. This momentum makes them a daunting obstacle for any team, particularly one battling to stay in the top flight.

Elsewhere, the Premier League landscape offers other narratives of redemption. Liverpool travel to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace, seeking to halt a slide of back-to-back defeats. The Guardian ^[2] confirms that Arne Slot has named a side featuring Wirtz and Isak in attack, with van Dijk captaining the defence. The Reds cannot afford further slips in their title chase.

Meanwhile, Chelsea visit a struggling Sunderland side. The Blues, also coming off a loss, have named Palmer and Pedro Neto in their starting eleven. The Daily Mail ^[1] highlights the difficulty of the trip for Chelsea, who must navigate a Sunderland side desperate to climb out of the lower reaches. With points crucial for both ends of the table, the afternoon’s results could significantly alter the shape of the Premier League standings.