Fate favours Ipswich in the Carling Cup betting at 10/1
Published:If history does indeed repeat itself, then Ipswich could represent great value at 10/1 in the Carling Cup betting to win the competition this season.
Although the hardest part is still to come, Ipswich have something to hang on to when they travel to the Emirates for the second leg of their semi final with Arsenal, after securing a deserved 1-0 in the opening encounter at Portman Road.
An intelligent defensive display, mixed with some strong pressure in attack, helped inspire the team in the last game before Paul Jewell takes over as manager of the club.
And Jewell will want more of the same in the second leg, even though there is every possibility that Arsenal will possess more craft and invention in the final third.
However, those who believe in fate will also believe that it is destiny that Ipswich will win the tie and progress to the final to play either West Ham or Birmingham.
This is because Ipswich’s run to winning the FA Cup in 1978 is virtually identical to this year’s Carling Cup.
On that occasion Ipswich eliminated Millwall and West Brom in successive rounds to reach the final and then beat Arsenal to lift the trophy.
Ipswich have beaten the same teams in the same order this season, with the win over Arsenal representing just Arsene Wenger’s second defeat to a non-Premier League side in the Carling Cup since taking over at the Gunners in 1996.
Despite the defeat, Arsenal’s betting odds are still odds-on at 4/6 to win the Carling Cup and they may take inspiration from Manchester United two seasons ago.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s team slumped to a 1-0 defeat at Championship side Deby 1-0 in the first-leg of their semi final before recovering to go through.
A £25 bet on Ipswich winning the Carling Cup could see a return of £250. New Ladbrokes customers can sign up here for a free £25 bet.
