We turn our attentions to the Emirates FA Cup with a full and in-depth preview of Saturday's visit to Portman Road.
Ipswich Town v Barrow
Saturday 4th December 2021, 3pm
Portman Road
Emirates FA Cup Round Two
In Opposition
Ipswich Town will be attempting to make it third time lucky this season as they attempt to return to the Championship following their relegation at the end of 2018/19.
The Tractor Boys have been on the edge of the play-off places in each of the last two campaigns, but the appointment of the experienced Paul Cook in March brought new optimism to supporters.
However, Town suffered a frustrating start to the new season as they went six League One games without a win before kickstarting their form with 1-0 win at Lincoln City in mid-September.
That boosted confidence significantly and Cook’s men have tasted league defeat just four times since then as they drove themselves from the bottom four back into the top half and within seven points of the play-off zone.
They made hard work of FA Cup progress in Round One as League Two Oldham Athletic held them to a draw in the original tie at Portman Road before Town were forced to come from behind to claim victory in the Boundary Park replay.
One To Watch
Macauley Bonne has been in brilliant form for Ipswich Town after joining the club during the summer on a season-long loan deal from Queens Park Rangers.
The 26-year-old has struck an impressive 11 League One goals already this term, a return only bettered by Morecambe’s Cole Stockton and Rotherham United’s Michael Smith.
Bonne came through the ranks at Colchester United before making a name for himself in Leyton Orient’s National League winning side in 2018/19 to earn a move to Charlton Athletic and then on to QPR.
Head To Head
This weekend’s encounter will be the first time the two clubs have ever met in competitive action.
Referee
Sam Purkiss will be on duty for his first Barrow game of the season when he’s the man in the middle for Saturday’s FA Cup tie at Ipswich Town.
The official is now into his third season on the EFL’s list of referees and last oversaw The Bluebirds when Josh Kay’s last gasp goal secured a 1-0 National League win at Sutton United in February 2019.
Ironically, Purkiss’ most recent appointment was also at Gander Green Lane as he presided over Sutton’s goalless draw with Stevenage in the Papa John’s Trophy on Tuesday night.
Tickets
Tickets for this fixture are no longer available to Barrow supporters either in advance or on the day.
Live Streaming
Unfortunately, we are unable to live stream FA Cup ties on iFollow.
Live Commentary
We will be providing live online audio commentary from every game this season as we continue our broadcast partnership with BBC Radio Cumbria and this includes FA Cup ties.
Fans will be able to listen to expert Bluebirds commentator Adam Johnson, who will be on-air to describe all the action as it unfolds from Portman Road this weekend.
You can purchase an Audio Match Pass for £2.50, an Audio Monthly Pass for £4.49 or sign-up for Audio Season Pass which provides all live commentary and video news for just £45.
Click here now to subscribe to iFollow.
Betting
Ipswich Town have been installed as 4/9 favourites for victory on Saturday, while The Bluebirds are rated 21/4 to pull off an upset and 16/5 to force the tie to a replay.
Click here now to take a look at a full list of markets ahead of Saturday’s game.