In the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night, Ipswich Town will look to catch Premier League side Fulham off guard.
Fulham will travel to Portman Road Stadium on Wednesday night to face Ipswich Town, knowing full well that a place in the Carabao Cup quarter finals is theirs to lose.
This season, Marco Silva’s side is the only one to defeat Tottenham Hotspur. While Spurs are still unbeaten in 90-minute games, the Cottagers’ penalty shootout win over them in the previous round is the only blemish on Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs CV so far.
Ipswich Town, on the other hand, is having a successful season in the English second divisio. Kieran McKenna’s side is second in the EFL Championship, five points behind leaders Leicester City, who have a game in hand.
The Tractor Boys will be eager to maintain their push for promotion to the Premier League. However, the EFL Cup serves as an excellent diversion. Ipswich have reached the fourth round for the first time since the 2010/11 season and will fancy their chances with home support.
Ipswich Town will be confident after defeating Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers last time out. Fulham will be a far more formidable opponent than Molineux. However, the home team may be able to capitalize on momentum. The Hard Tackle examines how both teams might line up on Sunday and what tactics they might use.
Lee Evans is out with an injury for the home team. He received a booking against Wolves and would have had to sit out the game due to suspension even if he had been fit. Elkan Baggott, who is recovering from a back injury, could join him.
McKenna will welcome back Freddie Ladapo and Axel Tuanzebe, both of whom came off the bench against Plymouth Argyle. They were unused substitutes on the night, and it remains to be seen whether they will play this time.
The 4-2-3-1 formation with Vaclav Hladky in goal is likely to be retained. The back four of Harry Clarke, George Edmundson, Luke Woolfenden, and Brandon Williams should keep him safe.
The double picot should be formed by Jack Taylor and Sam Morsy, allowing Marcus Harness, Omari Hutchinson, and Freddie Ladapo to push forward. George Hirst scored at the weekend and should keep his starting spot up front.
Hladky; Clarke, Edmundson, Woolfenden, Williams; Morsy, Taylor; Harness, Hutchinson, Ladapo; Hirst (4-2-3-1)
Fulham
The Cottagers will be confident after defeating Tottenham in the previous round. A trip to Ipswich is unlikely to be easy, and Marco Silva will be hoping that his team does not overtake Wolverhampton Wanderers in the third round.
Fulham will attempt to qualify for the competition’s last eight for the first time since 2004/05. The West Londoners have never advanced beyond the competition’s quarter-finals and now have the chance to do so on the night.
While Fulham are winless in their last two games, they will have reason to be optimistic after a well-earned point at the Amex last weekend. The Premier League side enters the game as favorites, knowing the onus will be on them to complete the task.
Vinicius was unavailable over the weekend and is unlikely to play against Ipswich. Adama Traore and Kenny Tete are also out with injuries, as are Issa Diop and Tosin Adarabioyo.
Silva is expected to stick with his 4-3-3 formation, with Bernd Leno in goal. The defensive quartet of Timothy Castagne, Calvin Bassey, Tim Ream, and Fode Ballo-Toure will keep him safe.
Palhinha will be expected to mop up in midfield once more, allowing Tom Cairney and Andreas Pereira to push forward. Willian and Alex Iwobi should provide width, with Raul Jimenez taking the lead.
Rodak; Castagne, Bassey, Ream, Ballo-Toure; Cairney, Palhinha, Pereira; Willian, Jimenez, Iwobi; Willian, Jimenez, Iwobi
Key Figures
So far this season, Ipswich Town have only lost one game in all competitions.
Fulham have lost their last two games in all competitions.
Neither Ipswich Town nor Fulham have ever won the League Cup.
Since 2010/11, neither Ipswich Town nor Fulham have advanced to the League Cup’s last eight. Ipswich reached the final four that season, losing to Arsenal on aggregate 3-1.
Player to Keep an Eye On
Palhinha, Joao
The Portuguese ace is Fulham’s go-to man and continues to earn praise for his performances in the center of the park. He scored over the weekend and will be ecstatic about the January transfer window in 2024.
Palhinha, an energetic presence in midfield, will be the player who holds the side together for the visitors. Strong in both attack and defense, the 28-year-old is arguably the most important difference maker on both sides’ rosters.
Prediction
Ipswich Town defeated Fulham 1-2.
It promises to be an exciting match between two teams determined to win.
Ipswich have home support, but Fulham have experience and must now balance the deficit. In the end, the visitors’ depth should be enough to get them over the line. Marco Silva and his charges are expected to win 2-1, according to The Hard Tackle.
