High-flying Ipswich welcome Premier League side Fulham to Portman Road this Wednesday, where they will look to progress in the EFL Cup. The two clubs met in this competition in 2020, when an Aleksandar Mitrovic goal gave the Cottagers the win.
Ipswich
Since returning to the Championship, Ipswich have been simply unstoppable and after 14 games, their dominance has earned them a second place position on 34 points. Kieran McKenna’s side have won 11 of those matches and only lost once all season. Furthermore, The Tractor Boys are the only team in the league to have scored in every match, netting the most goals in the Championship.
Ipswich have the best home record also, which will give them confidence that they can beat Fulham. Last time out in the EFL Cup, McKenna and his team defeated Wolves 3-2 at home. Even with a rotated side, they overcame a two goal deficit to win the tie.
Fulham
Marco Silva’s Fulham have had an average season so far and they sit in 14th place on 12 points. Their biggest problem has been in front of goal and they are suffering without Aleksandar Mitrovic up front. Fulham have scored less than one goal per game on average and conceded 16 goals in ten matches. Their lack of an effective number nine will hold them back this season.
However, the Cottagers have already caused an upset in the League Cup, as they beat Spurs on penalties in Round 3. Their most recent EFL Cup game saw them defeat Norwich, in a comfortable 2-1 victory.
Verdict?
Although Fulham are the favorites going into the tie, it is difficult to look past Ipswich’s form. I expect both sides will want to control the game and they will have spells doing so, but the hosts do have slightly more firepower.
The final prediction is Ipswich 1-1 Fulham.
