Last season’s semi-finalists, Coventry City face a huge Fourth Round test against Ipswich Town in 2024-25 FA Cup.
Victory would see Coventry reach the fifth round in consecutive seasons for the first time since 2007-08 & 08-09 seasons.
Ipswich meanwhile are looking to progress beyond this stage for the first time since 2006-07 season.
Team News
Coventry will be without midfielder, Matt Grimes who is cup-tied after he featured in the third round for Swansea, as the Swans lost at Southampton.
Ben Sheaf (muscle), Haji Wright (ankle) and Ephron Mason-Clark (hamstring) aren’t expected to be available for selection.
Ipswich will be without goalkeeper, Christian Walton after he missed their Premier League loss to Southampton due to a groin injury, which he had suffered a fortnight ago in a defeat at Liverpool.
January signings, Alex Palmer and Jaden Philogene are eligible but Julio Enciso is cup-tied.
Sammie Szmodics (ankle) could return but Wes Burns (ACL), Conor Chaplin (knee) and Chiedozie Ogbene (Achilles) remain ruled out.
When is Kick-Off?
Coventry host Ipswich at CBS Arena on Saturday 8 February at 3pm GMT, untelevised live in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Coventry won their only previous FA Cup tie against Ipswich, which saw them draw 1-1 at home in December 2019 before winning the replay away by a 2-1 result.
- This is Ipswich’s first proper FA Cup visit to Coventry at the CBS Arena, after their only previous away trip was played at Birmingham City’s St Andrew’s Stadium due to Coventry’s exile from their home stadium.
- Coventry have won four of their last five home ties in the FA Cup (W4, L1), although they needed penalties to beat Sheffield Wednesday in the Third Round after a 1-1 draw.
- Ipswich have won three of their last five FA Cup away matches (W3, L2).
Prediction
Currently chasing a play-off spot in the Championship once again, Coventry can afford to have a tilt at another decent FA Cup run but their defensive work must be much tidier than it was in a midweek league loss to Leeds, but they know that this is more winnable given their current form.
Ipswich meanwhile have bigger priorities to handle given their current fight for Premier League survival but I do expect Kieran McKenna to try and use a cup run to build confidence, which hopefully can help them in the top-flight but they can’t be as sloppy as they were against Southampton.
In fact my instinct is that this feels set to be a close game and I wouldn’t be surprised if this goes to extra-time, but Coventry should just have the edge if can put the Leeds result behind them quickly.
Prediction: Coventry 2-1 (AET) Ipswich
Result: Coventry 1-4 Ipswich
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