Ipswich vs Maidstone Prediction: Can Tractor Boys rack up a big score?

High-flying Ipswich Town may have promotion to the Premier League at the forefront of their minds, but they are in FA Cup action this weekend as they host the lowest-ranked side left in the competition, Maidstone United.

With the TV cameras turning up in the hope of seeing an upset, we have previewed the match and put forward a couple of betting selections. 

Team News

Kieran McKenna will be able to recall captain Sam Morsy after the influential midfielder completed his two-match ban. He’s likely to return to the XI after a spell on the sidelines, but elsewhere, this could be a chance for the manager to rotate. Omari Hutchinson, Christian Walton, Axel Tuanzebe and Nathan Broadhead are likely to be given starts as the manager looks to keep his squad fresh heading into the business end of the season. 

Maidstone have something of a striker shortage at this moment in time, so new signing Manny Doku could make his first start for the club at Portman Road. Bivesh Gurung is now back from suspension having missed the third round win at Stevenage so should play in central midfield. 

Match Odds

The Championship club are 1/7 to win this match, while sixth tier Maidstone priced at a whopping 20/1. A draw can be backed at 7/1, BTTS is 5/6 and over 2.5 goals is 1/5.

Nathan Broadhead anytime scorer @ 5/6

Looking at the odds, there is simply no value in backing Ipswich to win this game, even though I believe they will do so fairly comfortably. The Tractor Boys have performed at such a high level this season under McKenna, and proved in several cup competitions last term that they can beat Premier League teams, so Maidstone United should be fairly easy picking. 

The sixth-tier outfit are going well under George Elokobi as they push for promotion, but Ipswich have barely put a foot wrong for over a year. One man who has been slightly out of form but is likely to be given a start here is Nathan Broadhead. Ipswich are still searching for the perfect number nine after George Hirst’s injury, and Broadhead is likely to be trusted to lead the line against Maidstone. The price of 5/6 for him to score anytime against lower league opposition feels generous given the disparity in quality between the two teams. 

Ipswich Town over 4.5 goals @ 9/4

I’m expecting a big win for the home side here. They are one of the finest attacking teams in the country and will want to get back to winning ways after a slightly sticky spell in the Championship. This match should also allow them to play with freedom without the pressures of the league, while the players that come in will be desperate to prove themselves. 

If we look at the teams Maidstone have beaten to reach this stage, it’s obvious that Ipswich will be their toughest opponents by some way. Steyning Town, Winchester City, Torquay United, Chesham United, Barrow and Stevenage have all been defeated, but the Tractor Boys could be a Premier League team next season. This step up in quality is likely to prove too much for the sixth-tier club and I fear they could be on the end of a hammering. 

Check out our other Football Betting Tips here.