Preview | Ipswich Town v Swansea City
Swansea City make the long trip to Suffolk this afternoon as they round off a three-game week by taking on Ipswich Town at Portman Road (3pm).
Vitor Matos' side salvaged a point on home turf midweek as Liam Cullen's 95th-minute equaliser secured a share of spoils against Preston North End in what was a big occasion as minority owner, Snoop Dogg made his first visit to SA1.
Ipswich Town, meanwhile, sit in fourth position in the Championship table, and boast a strong home record having not lost at Portman Road since October 2025.
Team news
Marko Stamenic is back from suspension for Swansea City’s Championship clash with Ipswich Town.
The New Zealand international missed the home games against Bristol City and Preston North End after accumulating 10 bookings, but is back and in contention to face the Tractor Boys at Portman Road.
Swans boss Vitor Matos will otherwise have an unchanged squad to choose from for the long journey to East Anglia.
Pre-match views
Vitor Matos: “Ipswich are a very good team, they are well organised with a really good manager, plus a squad that has an identity and way of playing that has been built over his time there.
“So they are consistent in how they play, they are clear in what they want to do with the ball and in how they defend.
“They are a balanced team, they use transitions and pressing really well. They are one of the better teams in the league, and the table suggests that too.
“But that is good because we want to build a team that is ready to compete against anyone, and that is what we are going there to do.
“We go there to compete and to try to win, and that will not change for us.”
Kieran McKenna: “Swansea are a good side with some very good players, so we know this is going to be a big challenge for us.
“We’re really looking forward to being back at home again. The supporters, like always, are going to have a massive part to play in helping the team - both in the good moments and the bad moments of the game.
"Being at back at home doesn't mean it's just going to happen for us automatically. We're playing against good sides. The games are not going to be straightforward and simple.
"It's going to take a huge effort and know the supporters will be right behind us."
Meet the officials
Anthony Backhouse is the man in the middle for Swansea City's Championship clash with Ipswich Town on Saturday afternoon at Portman Road (3pm).
Backhouse has been an EFL referee since 2017 and became the first Cumbrian official for more than 40 years to be added to the EFL Referee list.
His career highlights to date include refereeing the National League play-off Final in 2017, being fourth official in the 2022 FA Trophy Final and referee in the FA Vase Final in 2023.
He is taking charge of a Swans game for the fifth time this season, having overseen wins against Sheffield Wednesday, Oxford and Blackburn Rovers, and a defeat at Preston North End.
Remember the last time?
Ipswich Town 3 Swansea City 2 - November 11, 2023
Swansea City’s run of away wins came to an end as Ipswich Town claimed all three points at Portman Road.
The Swans had won three in a row on their travels coming into this game and Jay Fulton gave the visitors an early lead against the high-flying Tractor Boys with a glancing header.
However, goals from Jack Taylor and Conor Chaplin had the hosts ahead at the break.
A George Hirst penalty extended their advantage after the break, before the Swans had Liam Cullen sent off with just over 20 minutes to go after picking up a second booking.
Jamal Lowe pulled a goal back with a sensational solo effort in stoppage time but it was not enough to help Swansea salvage a point despite a brave late rally.
Prime numbers
20 - This will be Swansea City's 20th game with Vitor Matos in charge. In the previous 19, the Swans have only failed to score on two occasions.
67 - Swansea lost their last away league game against Ipswich in November 2023, but haven’t lost consecutive visits to Portman Road since August 1959, 67 years ago.