Star player ruled out for Ipswich game - advantage Newcastle
Looking ahead to our five remaining Premier League fixtures, we’ve been dealt some relatively good luck in terms of injuries and suspensions of some of our opponents’ key players.
This past weekend alone, both Brighton’s Joao Pedro (suspended) and Everton’s James Tarkowski (likely hamstring injury) are expected to be absent when we play these sides in the coming weeks.
And after Sunday’s collection of games, another key man for one of our upcoming opponents is now confirmed to miss out.
Local lad Leif misses out
On Sunday afternoon, Ipswich hosted Arsenal at Portman Road, and whilst they had slim chances to begin with, their hopes of getting a positive result against the Gunners quickly evaporated in the first half.
Star defender Leif Davis was a shown a straight red card for a terrible tackle on Bukayo Saka midway through the first half.
Because of the rules on a violent challenge, Davis will now miss Ipswich’s next three league games, which won’t do their survival chances much hope.
Davis, who was born in Newcastle and played for Wallsend Boys Club growing up, unfortunately won’t be on the pitch at St James’ Park to play against us, the club he supported growing up.
Saturday’s game could be the game that ultimately condemns the Tractor Boys to the Championship next season, as the only way that Ipswich can survive is to win all their games, hope West Ham lose all theirs, and overturn a goal difference of 20 with the Hammers.
Little luck goes a long way
With Brighton missing their star striker, Everton their starting centre back, and now Ipswich losing their left back, it looks like we may finally be getting some luck with what’s otherwise a tough run in.
Even though we have already guaranteed European football with our Carabao Cup triumph, Champions League football remains the top priority this season.
And whilst many of our fans expect all three points against Ipswich on Saturday, the tricky trip to the Amex and hosting the Toffees on the final day both have the potential to be tough, tense fixtures.
All eyes will now be on Arsenal and Chelsea, the other two teams we play in our five final league games, to see what potential squad issues and priorities they show to their European football ambitions that could swing either game a little further in our favour.
