Ipswich vs Nottingham Forest: Delap's Impact and O'Neil's Strategy

Seven games in, the Premier League table still has a habit of telling half-truths. Form spikes, fixtures mislead, the odd late goal distorts everything. Even with that in mind, Ipswich in 10th and Nottingham Forest in 19th is a jolt to the system.

Ipswich have not dazzled, but they have been ruthless where it matters. At Portman Road, they already have more home wins than in their entire last top-flight season two years ago, when they went down with barely a whimper. Three league victories overall puts them level with Liverpool in fifth. That statistic alone underlines the shift. Gary O’Neil has not just steadied them; he has made them competitive in a hurry. At this stage of the season, that counts more than any aesthetic debate.

Forest, by contrast, are stuck in neutral. Oliver Glasner has yet to find any real rhythm or repeatable pattern. Five points, a goal difference of -4, and no goals in four home matches – those numbers explain why they arrive in Suffolk second from bottom. There is no soft focus or tactical nuance that makes that look any better.

Ipswich: Shape, Steel and a Key Return

O’Neil’s biggest early win has been clarity. Ipswich look like a side that knows what it is, particularly at home.

Sasa Lukic, who missed the 3-2 defeat at Manchester City with a minor groin problem, is expected to return. If he is fit, there is no debate: he slots straight back in next to Exequiel Palacios in the middle. That partnership has given Ipswich bite and a passing platform. Florentino Luis and Azor Matusiwa wait in reserve, but right now they are depth, not disruptors.

Jack Taylor remains sidelined with a knee issue and has yet to feature this season, which limits O’Neil’s options for rotation. Out wide, there is a different kind of decision. Abdul Fatawu is available again after suspension and immediately turns up the heat on Daizen Maeda, whose place now feels vulnerable. Fatawu’s directness and willingness to drive at full-backs could be exactly what Ipswich want against a Forest defence short on confidence.

The tactical question is at the back. At the Etihad, O’Neil switched to a back three and almost walked away with something. It gave Ipswich extra security without blunting their threat on the break. There is a strong case to keep it. Leif Davis and Abdoul Ouattara as wing-backs offer width and energy, while the extra centre-half protects against counters and long balls into the channels.

At home, against a Forest side searching for any kind of spark, that setup looks pragmatic rather than timid. Ipswich can still press high, still commit bodies forward, but with a safety net in place.

Forest: Injuries, Imbalance and the Gibbs-White Question

Forest arrive with issues at both ends of the pitch. That is how a season drifts into trouble.

Up front, Igor Jesus is out until the end of the month with a calf injury. That leaves Liam Delap as the clear favourite to lead the line, with Chris Wood as the alternative. Delap has already shown what he can offer in transition, scoring the opener in the 2-1 win at Aston Villa, and his running in behind will be central to Glasner’s plan.

Behind him, everything hinges on Morgan Gibbs-White. He missed the defeat to Arsenal with a muscle problem, but Glasner suggested he was close to returning. If he is ready, he starts. No debate there either. Forest badly need a player who can stitch midfield to attack, who can receive under pressure and turn it into something. Gibbs-White is that player.

His availability shapes the rest of the side. With him in the XI, James McAtee can drop a line deeper and help Forest progress the ball. Without him, Nicolas Dominguez is likely to keep his place, which brings industry and structure but less invention.

At the back, there is a cautious positive. Nikola Milenkovic rejoined the matchday squad against Arsenal after a knee bone bruise. Glasner will not want to rush him, but his presence at least gives Forest another senior option as they try to tighten up. Nicolo Savona remains a long-term absentee with a knee injury and has not played since January, so any defensive reshuffle will be built around Milenkovic’s gradual reintegration rather than a full reset.

Delap’s Return and a Game That Could Skew the Narrative

The personal subplot is obvious and compelling. Liam Delap walks back into Portman Road, a ground where he made a strong impression before moving on. He knows the place, the pitch, the noise. They know him too.

Ipswich are likely to defend with numbers when Forest build, but they will not sit in a low block for 90 minutes. O’Neil’s side want to attack, especially at home. That ambition leaves space when possession turns over. Space Delap loves. The channels, the gaps behind wing-backs, the moments when a centre-half steps out and leaves grass to chase into – this is his territory. If Forest can find him early and often, he has a genuine chance of scoring.

Trying to call the result, the evidence splits. Ipswich have the table position, the home crowd, and a dressing room that feels calm and aligned with the manager. Forest can point to stronger underlying metrics and the potential return of Gibbs-White, a single selection that instantly sharpens their attack.

Kick-off is at 8pm BST on Friday, October 23 at Portman Road. By full-time, the question will be unavoidable: is this table exposing a false position for one of these clubs – or quietly telling the truth about both?