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2010-12-01 - Ipswich Town vs West Bromwich Albion
A Sports Betting Pick by Caged
Ipswich Town
Home Record W4 D1 L4
Its a brave man who backs an away side in the Carling Cup, in the middle of a snowy November, at even money. Manchester United proved that on Tuesday. But lets make no bones about it, there is nothing to suggest Ipswich can pull off a minor shock and upset Premiership West Brom on Wednesday night.
Ipswich Town are in the middle of an awful run of form that has seen them lose four league games on the spin. We opposed them in the Old Farm derby at local rivals Norwich on Sunday, a move which saw us net a tidy 2.2 winner as the Tractor Boys slumped to a humiliating 4-1 reverse.
Roy Keane does not appear to have bought well, and there were some very strange tactics going on on Sunday, particularly in the second half where Keane and Paul Lamberts substitutions finished the game off. Keane is now claiming that the team needs investment, but hes had investment and it hasnt worked. The locals are restless, and Keane has received the old vote of confidence this week.
They have a bottom half home record, are in bottom half form, and have a load of important players doubtful or missing. These include keeper Martin Fulop, Gareth McAuley, Mark Kennedy, Connor Wickham, Luke Hyam and Tom Eastman while defender Damien Delaney is suspended.
West Bromwich Albion
Away Record W2 D2 L4
West Brom havent been in great form themselves, but a stunning win at Goodison Park on Saturday looks to have ended that run. Whilst West Broms away record doesnt look much, it is actually the 9th best away record in the top flight. In that run they have won at Arsenal and Everton and drawn at Manchester United. In view of the opposition faced they have far exceeded expectations away from home.
Roberto Di Matteo has been rotating his squad for the Carling Cup, but with the Baggies looking comfortable in the Premiership he may consider a semi final place in this competition is something worth fighting for.
If we are backing West Brom we have to work on the basis that he will weaken down, and then be pleasantly surprised if he does not. In the previous rounds, we saw the likes of Myhill coming in for Carson in goal, with Simon Cox up front for Odemwingie.
These are top end Championship players, and they have allowed West Brom to see off some lower division sides away and Man City at home.
Di Matteo will also know what to expect from Ipswich and Keane having overseen a draw at Portman Road and a two nil win at home in the Championship last season. In fact, Albion have a reasonable record at Ipswich over the last ten years, winning twice, drawing and losing once.
And while the West Brom price looks pretty short in this match as it has shrunk from 2.2 to 2 this week, the Baggies werent a great deal bigger going to Portman Road in the league last year.
Its not a price to get stuck into on a wintry night in the Carling Cup, but Ipswich are there for the taking by anyone who wants them at the moment. There will never be a better opportunity for West Brom to get into their first major semi final for many years, something this well supported and enormously proud club would welcome with open arms.
The Pick :
Ipswich 1 West Brom 2
