Ipswich's Premier League Challenge with Gary O’Neil and Daizen Maeda

Gary O’Neil knows exactly what he’s walking into at Ipswich – and so does everyone in East Anglia.

A former Norwich midfielder now in charge at Portman Road is the kind of twist that fuels derby folklore. The obvious question hangs in the air: where do his loyalties truly sit? Is the old Canary now steering the Tractor Boys? The jokes about sabotage write themselves.

Strip away the rivalry, though, and the picture changes. There is genuine goodwill for Ipswich’s attempt to stay in the Premier League, and a sense that O’Neil might just have enough about him to give them a fighting chance.

One of the main reasons for that optimism is Daizen Maeda. Signed from Celtic, he is not a glamorous name in the traditional sense, but he is a manager’s dream. Maeda plays at full tilt, every minute, every press. His intensity is relentless.

In a league obsessed with high pressing and transition, he could be the standout. As an out-of-possession weapon, there may not be a better presser anywhere in the Premier League. If Ipswich sit deep and spring forward, he becomes even more dangerous. Ask defenders who’ve chased him before: there are not many quicker runners in behind.

Ipswich can also take heart from recent history. Sunderland showed last season that a promoted side can overhaul its squad and still thrive. They didn’t just survive; they surged all the way into Europe. Leeds did something similar with smart recruitment and aggressive football, proving that boldness can be rewarded at this level.

That’s the template Ipswich will cling to. But copying it is another matter entirely.

The hard part comes now for O’Neil: turning a batch of new arrivals into a functioning, cohesive team in a matter of weeks. It’s not just about talent; it’s about connections, automatisms, trust. Get that wrong early and a season can unravel before it starts. Get it right and the whole mood of a club changes.

Sunderland are the warning and the inspiration rolled into one. Their rise last season was built on power, organisation and a ferocious edge in big games. Nobody showcased that better than in their brutal dismantling of Arsenal – a performance that left a lasting mark. They didn’t just beat Arsenal, they bullied them in a way few sides manage.

They did fade as the months wore on, and the surprise factor has now vanished. Opponents know what’s coming. The extra European fixtures will stretch their squad, and we’ll find out quickly whether they can handle the load.

Even so, the spine remains imposing. Granit Xhaka still drives the midfield, snarling through challenges and dictating the tempo. Up front, Wilson Isidor and Brian Brobbey give them the kind of punch that can turn tight matches with a single moment.

That’s the level Ipswich must reach if they want to do more than just cling on.

For now, the expectation is more sober. Against this kind of hardened, battle-tested opposition, Ipswich are tipped to come up short.

Prediction: 0-1.