West Ham United Aims for First Home Victory Against Ipswich Town

West Ham United‘s head coach Julen Lopetegui is under pressure to secure his first home victory as the club welcomes Ipswich Town to the London Stadium. The match is set for Saturday, October 28, with kickoff scheduled for 3 p.m. BST. This encounter promises to be a critical fixture for both sides, as West Ham seeks to build momentum in their Premier League campaign.

Lopetegui has named an unchanged lineup for the match, keeping faith with the team that held Brentford to a 1-1 draw last weekend. Among the starting XI is Jean-Clair Todibo, who stands out in the West Ham defence. The Frenchman, who joined the club during the summer transfer window, made a strong impression at Brentford and is expected to help solidify a defence that remains a concern for the Irons, having conceded 54 goals in 2024.

The Hammers are optimistic about their record against newly-promoted teams, as they have not lost in their last eleven matches against such opponents. This record will be tested against an Ipswich Town side, managed by Kieran McKenna, that has managed to hold off teams like Brighton & Hove Albion and Aston Villa to draws in recent games.

West Ham’s attacking lineup features key players including Tomáš Souček, who netted the equaliser in their previous outing, and Lucas Paquetá, aiming for personal milestones. Souček is close to surpassing Frédéric Kanouté in West Ham’s all-time Premier League goalscorer list, needing one more goal to reach thirty. Meanwhile, skipper Jarrod Bowen continues to be instrumental for the Hammers, with a tally of 75 goal involvements in the league.

For Ipswich Town, the challenge is to secure their first win of the season. Despite a challenging start, McKenna’s side has shown resilience, especially in their matches against higher-ranking teams. Their lineup includes notable players such as Sam Morsy and Kaden Jackson, who have been pivotal in their last few encouraging draws.

The match will be officiated by referee Anthony Taylor. Meanwhile, fans unable to attend can catch the match through various broadcasting options. For audiences outside the UK, the match will be available on streaming platforms like USA Network, Sling TV, and Optus Sport, amongst others.