Pep Guardiola said any concerns he had over Phil Foden's form at the start of the season are gone after his recent scoring run as Manchester City prepare to travel to Ipswich Town on Sunday.

City looked to be getting back on track in recent weeks after going on a three-match winning run in all competitions, including back-to-back wins in the Premier League, but that run was halted by a 2-2 draw with Brentford last time out.

Guardiola's side blew a 2-0 lead, with Brentford netting twice after the 81st minute to salvage a draw. It leaves City sixth in the table, though they are currently on a five-match unbeaten streak in all competitions.

Foden scored both goals for City in that match, and Guardiola was delighted to see the midfielder back to his best.

"It is not bad how he is doing lately. His mood and his smile has to count," Guardiola said.

"In the first part of the year, I was a little concerned, and he was a bit more down. But sometimes you need to breathe and come back. His natural talent will do the rest."

Meanwhile, Ipswich remain just inside the bottom three, below Wolves having scored fewer goals, after their 2-0 defeat to Brighton on Thursday.

It was a third loss in five for Kieran McKenna's side, who have been boosted by the arrival of Jaden Philogene in recent days, their second signing of the January window after Ben Godfrey's loan move.

Despite the 22-year-old being Ipswich's 15th signing of the campaign, McKenna hinted they could be on the lookout for more players as they try to maintain their Premier League stay.

"We'll try to [do more business] if we can find quality that can improve us," said McKenna. "I think our depth is pretty good now.

"If we can get everybody back fit, our depth is fine.

"But if we can add quality that can help the starting eleven, or quality that can help from the bench, then we'll certainly aim to try and do so - but only if the right players are available that can really push us on."

Another #PL away day coming up 

#AsahiSuperDry pic.twitter.com/mZ6c1m75iB

— Manchester City (@ManCity) January 16, 2025

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Ipswich Town – Sammie Szmodics

Sammie Szmodics scored Ipswich's goal in their 4-1 defeat against City in the reverse fixture.

The last time a player for a promoted side scored home and away goals against the reigning champions in a campaign was 2017-18, with Newcastle United's Dwight Gayle and Huddersfield Town's Laurent Depoitre doing so against Chelsea.

Manchester City – Phil Foden

Having failed to score in his first 11 Premier League games this season, Foden has netted four goals in his last five.

He is looking to score in three consecutive league games for the first time since October 2022.

MATCH PREDICTION: MANCHESTER CITY WIN

In what is the 30th different league campaign in which they have met, City are looking to complete the double over Ipswich for just the third time, previously doing so in 1961-62 and 1994-95.

City have won 20 of their last 21 Premier League games against promoted sides since losing 2-1 to Leeds United in April 2021, with the only exception in this run being a 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest in February 2023.

However, City have dropped 14 points from winning positions in the Premier League this season, letting a 2-0 lead slip to draw 2-2 with Brentford last time out. It is the most points the Citizens have dropped from ahead in a single campaign since 2008-09 (20).

Ipswich have lost just one of their last 28 home league games against City (W20 D7) though, winning the last four in a row. This is the first such meeting, however, since a 2-1 win in May 2001.

Since a 3-2 win over Manchester United in September 1994, Ipswich are winless in their last six Premier League games against the reigning champions (D1 L5). They have conceded 21 goals in this run while scoring just twice themselves.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Ipswich Town – 14.5%

Draw – 19%

Manchester City – 66.5%