Everton make the long trip to Suffolk to take on newly-promoted Ipswich looking to make it four games unbeaten in the Premier League.

The Toffees go into the game two points clear of the drop zone in 16th, easing some of the pressure that had build up after a disastrous August.

But, as ever with Toffees, they are seemingly only ever one defeat away from a crisis. A loss at Portman Road would disrupt some of the momentum gained just before the international break.

They were fortunate last season to escape any genuine injury crisis, but it feels like Sean Dyche has had to name patched-up starting XI's for pretty much every game this season.

That is no excuse for some of the performances of course, but it is something that may prevent the team from reaching top gear, meaning they will have to scrap and fight for every point.

They spent 17 years going nowhere in the Championship before dropping down to League One in 2019, the first time they had been in the third tier since the 1950s.

The appointment of Kieran McKenna in late 2021 proved pivotal in reviving their fortunes. He led them back to the Championship in his first full season in charge in 2022-23, before making it back-to-back promotions last year.

They take on Everton just one point behind the Toffees and seeking their first win of the season. However, they did draw four matches in a row before losing 4-1 at West Ham last time out. That run included credible draws with Brighton and Aston Villa, suggesting they will be more competitive in the league than many predicted.

Previous meeting Everton 1-2 Ipswich, 2 February 2022

You have to go back 19 years to find the last meeting between the teams, when Ipswich were still a top-flight side. The Tractor Boys came away with a 2-1 win at Goodison Park on 2 Febraury 2002, with goals from Sixto Peralta and Matt holland either side of a David Unsworth penalty earning the three points.

Jarrad Branthwaite faces a late fitness test on a quad injury that saw him miss the draw with Newcastle last time out.

Tim Iroegbunam and James Garner are out after suffering foot and back injuries respectively. Nathan Patterson is continuing his recovery from a hamstring problem and won't be risked.

Armando Broja and Youssef Chermiti are still a few weeks away from a return.

"And by no means were we as good as we've been in other games, and there's still work to be done in those performances.

"But we showed that resilience, keeping a clean sheet. We got a lot of the basics right to keep a good side at bay and get a result.

Final word Many are tipping this as an early relegation six-pointer given Everton's recent struggles and the two teams' position in the table. The Toffees should be aiming higher than that of course. Three points clear could lift them into mid-table and further ease the pressure.