Ipswich head to the Emirates on Tuesday holding a narrow 1-0 lead over Arsenal in the Carling Cup semi following the first leg, but very few people are giving them a chance of making it to Wembley (Ipswich to win in 90 minutes – 20/1).
The Tractor Boys were well worth their win at Portman Road a fortnight ago as Tamas Priskin’s late goal (3/1 to score anytime in second leg) set up the tie perfectly for the return in north London this week but, despite their lead, it remains a tough ask for the Championship strugglers to make it to Wembley.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger rested some of his top stars in the first leg but still included the likes of Andrey Arshavin, Theo Walcott, Denilson and skipper Cesc Fabregas, while youngsters Keiran Gibbs and Jack Wilshere also started.
The Frenchman is expected to name a similar side in the second game as he looks for the same sort of performance from his side that they put on against Leeds in the FA Cup third-round replay last week.
That display, which secured a comfortable 3-1 win, was a marked improvement from the one at Portman Road but confirms that if the Gunners approach the match in the right frame of mind there can surely be only one winner.
Saturday’s 3-0 win over Wigan in the league came courtesy of a Robin van Persie hat-trick but the Dutchman could well be rested against Paul Jewell’s side on Tuesday with the goalscoring responsibility likely to again rest with Niklas Bendtner, or even Carlos Vela who came on late in the first leg.
Jewell claims he has already picked his side for the game and is expected to play Priskin up front on his own as he plots what would be a famous triumph (Ipswich 40/1 to win on penalties).
The new Ipswich boss is, however, without Lee Martin who is cup-tied but midfielder Colin Healy is set to play despite a minor groin strain.
Town are aiming for their first appearance in a major final since the famous FA Cup Final win of 1978 – which came against Arsenal – but it’s going to take a mammoth effort from them to restrict the Gunners, who have hit nine goals in their last three games and managed 42 from just 16 matches at home in all competitions so far this term – an average of 2.6 per game.
Two on Tuesday would be enough but a more handsome win – take 4-0 to the Gunners at 8/1 for example – is likely to be a more astute correct score bet.
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