IPSWICH TOWN travel to Bottom Meadow for a quintessential FA Cup tie against tiny Bracknell Town on Monday night in a live TV clash.
The Tractor Boys have been going well this season and currently sit in second place in League One after a big win against fellow fallen giants Derby County and a midweek win in Stoke at Port Vale, before a crazy 4-4 draw at Charlton Athletic where they conceded two goals deep into injury time after being 4-2 up
They are now in their fourth season in English football's third tier and haven't been in the top flight for 20 years. It's far cry from the UEFA Cup-winning heyday in 1981.
But all eyes will be on Bracknell Town, who play their football in the Southern League Premier South, which is the eighth tier of English football where they are currently in 11th place.
To even get to this first round stage, they have had to negotiate four rounds and defeated Harrow Borough, Chesham United after a replay, Yate Town and Banbury United.
Co-managers Jamie McClurg and Carl Withers have gone against the usual convention here by urging their players to ‘play the occasion and not the game' in contrast to the normal approach.
It's the first time the club have reached the first round in 20 years and should be a fantastic occasion at the Sandhurst ground, which will be full to its 1,950 capacity.
How the bookies view it
Ipswich Town are around the 1/7 and 1/8 mark although 10Bet are pushing the boat out by going 1/5 on an away win.
Bracknell Town can be backed at 14/1 with William Hill and the draw is 15/2 with bet365.
Recent head to heads
The clubs have never met before
Players to watch
Kamaron English netted a double for Bracknell in their last game – a 3-2 win at Winchester City in the league. The former Watford winger is 9/1 to score anytime with bet365.
Conor Chaplin is Ipswich's top scorer in the league this season although he's on a goal drought at the moment. He should get plenty of chances and he is 21/20 with bet365.
Anything else catch the eye?
There should be a pretty obvious gulf in class between the teams and even allowing for the cliched ‘magic of the cup' Ipswich really should be winning this with plenty to spare.
It's 11/10 with bet365 for Ipswich to win and over 3.5 goals and that looks a solid enough shout, especially as Bracknell have only kept one clean sheet all season even in their modest league.
If the League One side get an early goal, the floodgates could easily open too. They will be keen to put this to bed early and it could be worth a big price of 12/5 with Coral for the highest scoring half being the opening 45 minutes.
This FA Cup match between Bracknell Town and Ipswich Town will be played on Nov 7, 2022 and kick off at 19:45. Check below for our tipsters best Bracknell Town vs Ipswich Town prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
