David Moyes praised Everton's attitude during their recent run as they look to bounce back from back-to-back losses against relegated Ipswich Town in the Premier League.

Everton made a strong start to life under Moyes at the start of his second spell, but they have struggled in the last few months, winning just one of their last nine league games (D5 L3).

They have lost to Manchester City and Chelsea in their last two outings, having also faced Arsenal and Premier League champions Liverpool in their last five matches.

They sit 15th in the table on 38 points with four games remaining, but Moyes believes there were positives to take from their performances against the top-five teams.

"I think the players have fared really well [over the past five matches]," Moyes told evertontv.

"We've not been out of any game in what has been a really difficult period. It never feels good if you lose two, but we were in all of the games, we had chances and moments to get more out of them.

"I think the players have done really well. They've got great heart, great appetite, and they do their best in every game they play."

Ipswich's relegation back to the Championship was confirmed last weekend, with their 3-0 defeat to Newcastle United leaving them 15 points adrift of West Ham with only 12 left to play for.

They are winless in their last four outings, having a player sent off in each of their last two against Arsenal and Newcastle.

Kieran McKenna acknowledged his disappointment with their immediate return to the second tier, but is hopeful Ipswich can continue to build on the progress they have made during his tenure.

"To establish in the Premier League this season would have been fantastic. We've given it our best shot and fallen short," McKenna said of their relegation.

"But I think in almost every aspect we're much stronger than we were a couple of years ago.

"There's no guarantees we continue that progression, but if we continue to work hard, do the right things and make the right decisions, then we've got a chance to push on again."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Everton – Idrissa Gueye

Jesper Lindstrom (28) and Idrissa Gueye (27) have had more shots without scoring than any other players in the Premier League this season.

Gueye's only shot against Chelsea was on target, but he accumulated just 0.04 of Everton's expected goals (xG) tally with his attempt.

Ipswich Town – Liam Delap

Ipswich have not scored in their last two Premier League outings, and only managed four attempts against Newcastle last weekend, with none of them on target.

Liam Delap was responsible for three of those, but he only had two touches in the opposition box, with Jack Clarke (three) having more.

MATCH PREDICTION: EVERTON WIN

Everton won the reverse fixture against Ipswich 2-0, only previously achieving the Premier League double over the Tractor Boys in 1994-95.

However, Everton have won just one of their last nine Premier League games (D5 L3), having won four of their five before this (D1). The Toffees have lost their last two – they last lost three in a row under Moyes in October 2011.

Ipswich have won their last two away league games against Everton, beating them 3-0 in September 2000 and 2-1 in February 2002.

They lost 4-0 against Arsenal and 3-0 against Newcastle in their last two Premier League matches. They last conceded 3+ in three consecutive games in March 1995 – 0-9 v Manchester United, 0-3 v Tottenham, 0-3 v Norwich City.

This will be Moyes' 1,167th game in charge in his managerial career across all competitions, but his first ever meeting with Ipswich. They are the first 'new' English club he has faced since beating Doncaster Rovers 4-0 while in charge of West Ham in January 2021.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Everton – 60.9%

Draw – 21.3%

Ipswich Town – 17.8%