City have dominated the fixture in recent years, winning the past three meetings and scoring 14 goals in the process.
Ipswich still hold the advantage in the overall head-to-head record, however, with 28 victories from 68 competitive meetings compared with City’s 25. The fixture stretches back to 1961 and includes Paul Power’s famous FA Cup semi-final winner and Erling Haaland’s hat-trick at the Etihad.
Man City v Ipswich head-to-head record
| Record | Total |
|---|---|
| Competitive meetings | 68 |
| Man City wins | 25 |
| Draws | 15 |
| Ipswich wins | 28 |
| Man City goals | 98 |
| Ipswich goals | 86 |
| First meeting | Ipswich 2-4 Man City, August 1961 |
| Most recent meeting | Ipswich 0-6 Man City, January 2025 |
| City’s biggest win | Ipswich 0-6 Man City, January 2025 |
| Ipswich’s biggest win | Ipswich 4-0 Man City, December 1979 |
The overall record reflects a rivalry that was far more evenly balanced before City’s rise in the modern era. The clubs first met in the top flight at Portman Road in August 1961, when City recorded a 4-2 victory.
They went on to become regular opponents and faced each other in 15 consecutive top-flight seasons between 1968 and 1983. Ipswich enjoyed considerable success during that period as Bobby Robson established the club among the leading sides in English football.
Paul Power sends City to Wembley in 1981
One of the most memorable meetings came in the FA Cup semi-final at Villa Park in April 1981. Ipswich were challenging for the First Division title and had also reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup under Robson.
City held them over 90 minutes before captain Power produced the decisive moment in extra time. The Manchester-born defender curled a free-kick past Paul Cooper in the 100th minute to secure a 1-0 victory and send John Bond’s side to Wembley.
City faced Tottenham Hotspur in the final, drawing 1-1 before losing the replay 3-2 five days later. Ipswich recovered from their defeat by City to win the UEFA Cup the following month.
Ipswich proved difficult opponents for City
Ipswich continued to enjoy success against City long after the clubs’ regular top-flight meetings ended in the 1980s. The Suffolk side won 4-0 at Portman Road in December 1979, their biggest victory over City. Ipswich also won both Premier League meetings in the 2000-01 season, including a 3-2 victory at Maine Road.
They added a League Cup victory at Maine Road that season, winning 2-1 after extra time. Their 2-1 league victory at Portman Road in May 2001 was the last league meeting between the sides for more than 23 years. City gained some revenge in January 2002 when they returned to Suffolk and won 4-1 in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Haaland hits hat-trick on Ipswich’s Premier League return
Ipswich’s promotion brought the fixture back to the Premier League in August 2024. Sammie Szmodics gave the visitors a shock lead after seven minutes at the Etihad before City responded emphatically.
Haaland equalised from the penalty spot before Kevin De Bruyne put City ahead and the Norwegian scored again to make it 3-1 after only 16 minutes. City’s three goals came in the space of three minutes and 11 seconds. Haaland completed his hat-trick late in the second half to seal a 4-1 victory.
City hit Ipswich for six at Portman Road
The return fixture in January 2025 was even more one-sided. Phil Foden scored twice as City won 6-0 at Portman Road, with Mateo Kovacic, Jeremy Doku, Haaland and James McAtee also on target. The victory equalled City’s biggest away win in Premier League history.
It was also City’s first league game at Portman Road since losing 2-1 there in May 2001. The two victories meant City scored 10 goals against Ipswich during the 2024-25 Premier League season.
Recent Man City v Ipswich meetings
| Date | Fixture | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19 January 2025 | Ipswich v Man City | Premier League | 0-6 |
| 24 August 2024 | Man City v Ipswich | Premier League | 4-1 |
| 27 January 2002 | Ipswich v Man City | FA Cup | 1-4 |
| 7 May 2001 | Ipswich v Man City | Premier League | 2-1 |
| 19 December 2000 | Man City v Ipswich | League Cup | 1-2 aet |
| 25 November 2000 | Man City v Ipswich | Premier League | 2-3 |
City have won the past three meetings by an aggregate score of 14-2. Ipswich’s most recent victory over City came in the League Cup at Maine Road in December 2000, while their last league win was at Portman Road in May 2001.
Saturday’s meeting will therefore give Ipswich the chance to end a run of three successive defeats against City stretching back almost 25 years. For City, it is an opportunity to extend a recent record that contrasts sharply with Ipswich’s narrow advantage across the history of the fixture.
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