Ipswich's extra possession should bring Forest's timed pressure and direct outlet into focus. Bolton and Middlesbrough should contest the first clearance as carefully as the initial cross. Vitória's wide pressure will meet a compact Marítimo block with a direct route out. Across these matches, the next receiver after the first challenge shapes the score.
Ipswich can use Palacios and the wing-backs to move forward, while Forest can wait for a forward-facing pass to jump and send the recovery toward Delap, Gibbs-White and Ndoye. Lukic played against Fulham but missed City and has been ruled out; Florentino has taken recent midfield minutes, while Gibbs-White has trained after missing Arsenal and Delap played the full Arsenal match. Ipswich's wide runners and dead balls supply real attacks, but Forest have the clearer first-recovery connection to a decisive second contact. I'm siding with Nottingham Forest to win, with a level finish returning this selection.
Middlesbrough can build through Brittain and Cozier-Duberry and bring Lankshear onto the next cross. Bolton have an established Toal–Brunt pairing in front of Bazunu and can release Larrazabal or Rodrigues toward Dalby after recovering the ball. Forino already missed Bolton's last two matches, and the latest coach update points to the same defensive pairing; Nelson's injury removes a bench runner, while Boro's Lankshear and Berhalter both played meaningful minutes in their last match. I expect Boro pressure and Bolton's named counter and late delivery routes to keep the contest close. I'm siding with Bolton to hold the margin close enough for a draw or home win to pay.
Vitória intend to overlap Strata and João Mendes, giving Samu and Camara repeat deliveries into Jakupović. Marítimo's compact line can send the first forward pass through Alani or Dominguez toward Butzke or an outside runner; Vieites played the full Porto game and made seven saves. Danilović and Santiago were absent from that league midfield, while Bouzaidi has since added a cup contribution and a recent league appearance. Vitória have amassed shots without regularly converting them into clear winning margins, and their advanced full-backs leave a useful release for Marítimo. I'm siding with Marítimo to stay within reach and take the result when that outlet connects.
