Ipswich progress but are handed nightmare tie against Arsenal
Published:Roy Keane saw the pressure on his shoulders lift yesterday as his Ipswich Town side defeated Premier League West Bromwich Albion at a freezing Portman Road on Wednesday night.
The Championship side, who were on a run of four straight defeats, will now face Arsenal in the semi-finals of the Carling Cup after defying the Premier League side.
Ipswich are the least-fancied team left in the competition and they are the 14/1 outsiders in the Carling Cup betting market, suggesting they should enter their semi-final with Arsenal as if it were a final.
The last time a Championship side made the final was in 2000 when Tranmere were in the old First Division.
Arsenal are really short at 1/2 to win the Carling Cup seeing as they have been handed the easier of the two semi-finals, and it’s difficult to see how Roy Keane’s side can stop the second string Arsenal attack.
But even so, the Tractor Boys faithful will be glad for the positive result after going so long without a win, and the club will be hoping that Wednesday night’s result will be the catalyst for the season.
Currently in 17th place in the Championship, Roy Keane has been facing mounting pressure from external sources and this result will have brought him some time as he looks to lead his side up the table.
Ipswich are involved in Saturday’s lunchtime kick off with Championship title contenders Swansea and the Tractor Boys are 13/8 to beat Swansea City at Portman Road.
The win over West Brom would have injected a much needed bout of confidence throughout the Ipswich squad and that confidence can spur them on to a much needed league win.
Swansea will prove tough to beat though and the Swans can be backed at 13/8 to beat Ipswich and go level on points with rivals Cardiff City in second place.
A £10 stake on Ipswich winning the League Cup would return £150. New customers can sign up here for a free £10 bet.
