Ipswich Town host sixth-tier Maidstone United at Portman Road in a huge Fourth Round tie of 2023-24 FA Cup.
Victory would see Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich reach the Fifth Round for the first time since the 2006-07 season, whilst National League South’s Maidstone look to extend their longest-ever run in this competition.
Team News
Sam Morsy is set to return for Ipswich after he was suspended for their last two matches.
Cameron Burgess, Elkan Baggot (both international duty), Brandon Williams (unspecified), Janoi Donacien (groin) and Lee Evans (knee) remain absent.
Maidstone could hand new signing, Manny Duku a debut start due to a strike shortage at the club.
Muhammadu Faal, Matt Rush and Timmy Abraham are all cup-tied after they previously featured in this season’s competition for Havant & Waterlooville, Aveley and Boreham Wood respectively.
When is Kick-Off?
Ipswich host Maidstone at 12:30pm GMT on Saturday 27 January at Portman Road, live on BBC1 in the UK.
Stat Attack
- This is Ipswich’s first-ever competitive fixture against Maidstone United.
- Maidstone are visiting Ipswich at Portman Road for the very first time in their history.
- Ipswich have lost one of their last five FA Cup meetings against lower league opposition (W3, D1, L1).
- Sam Corne has scored in each of his last two FA Cup appearances for Maidstone (W2).
Prediction
Although they have won just two of their last eight games in all competitions, Ipswich aren’t an easy team to beat such has been their grit with just one defeat in that period so I do expect more of the same if they don’t underestimate Maidstone here with a strong line-up.
Maidstone meanwhile havee scored in eight of their last nine matches during which they kept just two clean sheets but as underdogs, they know that this will be a huge ask so it is probably crucial that they score first whilst their defence must be at their best to at least snatch a home replay.
I however don’t see that happening for the sixth-tier team because Ipswich really should have too much for them, yet the Tractor Boys’ defence is hardly superior in terms of clean sheets so I do hope that Maidstone can at least get one goal to bow out on a decent note.
Prediction: Ipswich 3-1 Maidstone
Result: Ipswich 1-2 Maidstone
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