Sunderland vs Ipswich: Goals make their way onto the menu for the opener

Sunderland vs Ipswich Bet Builder Tips, Opta Stats, Player Props

Sunday sees a mouthwatering Championship clash between playoff semi-finalists Sunderland and League 1 runners-up Ipswich. Kicking off at 17:00, it is the perfect ending to a hectic weekend of EFL action. Both sides have had an ambitious transfer window and will aim for promotion from the season ahead. What better way to showcase their promotion credentials than an opening-day battle in front of the sky cameras?

If you’re after a little more bang for your buck than a preview on a specific fixture on the opening day, here’s bettingexpert’s Championship ante-post 23/24 preview – enjoy!

• Conor Chaplin to Score
• Over 2.5 goals
• Both teams to score

Bet Builder odds: 5.50

England, EFL Championship, Sunday 6 August, 17:00

Odds via bet365 as at 00:00 1st August 2023 Odds may now differ.

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Sunderland vs Ipswich Stats: Take note of a few league-highs

• Ipswich’s 99 points is a record high for not winning League 1
• Over 2.5 goals landed in 59% of Ipswich games last season- A league 1 high
• Sunderland had a league high 15 home games see both teams score
• Sunderland scored 33 and conceded 33 goals at home last campaign
• Sunderland are unbeaten in their last six games against Ipswich

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Sunderland vs Ipswich: Chaplin amongst the goals, goals, and more goals

Chaplin to score

The first leg of the bet builder involves Ipswich talisman Conor Chaplin. Fresh off the back of a 26-goal season, the 26-year-old will be full of confidence heading into Sunday’s opener. Chaplin ended the season in a rich vein of form, scoring 14 in the last 15 games. He has maintained this form in pre-season, scoring two in a fruitful summer for the Tractor Boys.

The 6”3 George Hirst leads the line by himself, with Chaplin, a willing runner off of his shoulders. He has shown he is not one to cower away in important games, scoring in crucial away wins at Peterborough, Barnsley, and Derby. In what is expected to be an end-to-end game full of goals, Chaplin will fancy his chances of starting the season as he ended the last. The price of 3.75 on offer for him to score is an appealing selection for the bet builder.

Over 2.5 goals

As alluded to earlier, I am expecting goals at the Stadium Of Light. The Black Cats topped the league for home games with over 2.5 goals, with 65% of their games seeing three or more goals. Tony Mowbray has a young side at his disposal, and youthful naivety was shown at times last year when they conceded 33 goals in 23 games in front of their own supporters. While a lot of this defensive vulnerability was due to an injury crisis at the back,
Ipswich will still fancy their chances of adding to the scoresheet. Ipswich matches were also goal-gluttonous, with a league-high 59% of Ipswich games seeing over 2.5 goals. Seven of Kieran McKenna’s sides’ last eight fixtures saw over 2.5 goals land. Ipswich showed their tremendous attacking output in the previous campaign, scoring 101 goals. Thirteen of their last 15 games saw them achieve two or more.

Both Teams To Score – Yes

Both teams to score landed more often than not for both teams. 52% of Sunderland’s home games saw BTTS, while it also landed 65% of Ipswich’s away matches. Tony Mowbray has an abundance of attacking talent at his disposal. New signing Luis Semedo has looked sharp in pre-season, being supplied by Jack Clarke, whom Sunderland have managed to retain despite Premier League interest.

The Black Cats will also benefit from being able to move Patrick Roberts back to the wing. Due to an injury crisis, the 26-year-old had to fill in at fullback. Despite this, the former Manchester City winger provided 12 goal contributions in 29 starts. Ipswich are also without ever-present goalkeeper Christian Walton due to an injury, but brags League 1’s top scorer last term, Conor Chaplin, and Freddie Ladapo, who scored 19 goals in 2022/23. Wes Burns (9), Nathan Broadhead (8), and George Hirst (7) are all able goal-scorers who will fancy their chances on Sunday evening.

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