Former Celtic legend and pundit Chris Sutton has predicted that Ipswich will beat Wrexham in the penalty shoot-out of the FA Cup 4th round fixture to advance through.
With a Millwall defeat and heartbreaks for Parky & Sam Smith, the last days have not been the best for Wrexham in the Championship. While they face off against a second-tier side in Ipswich upnext, Wrexham have a chance to back themselves with a historic win.
Notably, the FA Cup tie against Ipswich is Wrexham’s chance to advance to the Round of 16 in decades. Having last achieved the feat in the 1996/97 campaign, the Reds can fancy a dream run if they win here.
To Wrexham fans’ disappointment, pundit Chris Sutton is sceptical of this coming true. While he acknowledges the Reds’ position in the building promotion race, Sutton vouches for Ipswich Town in the 4th round of the FA Cup knockout.
The former Celtic legend predicted a 1-1 draw until extra time, with the penalties to decide the winner. As per the BBC, Sutton hailed Ipswich to go through from the shootouts, quoting: “As for moneybags Wrexham, well I don’t think their Hollywood stardust will help to take them to Wembley, but after this they will be able to focus on their play-off bid.”
Sutton forecasts penalty shootout for Wrexham
Chris Sutton’s claim screams for Wrexham’s FA Cup campaign to end soon. Let alone a Wembley dream for a semi-final or a potential final, Sutton thinks the Reds will be knocked out against Ipswich in penalties.
Considering Ipswich’s near impeccable run in all competitions, Sutton’s prediction sounds fair. With the Tractor Boys flying high with just 1 defeat and 7 wins in their last 10 outings, Kieran McKenna’s side enter the FA Cup contest in high spirits.
In this aspect, it’d be more than commendable for Wrexham if they can find a way to extend the tie until penalties. Should it happen, it could be the Reds’ only third penalty shootout contest in FA Cup history.
FA Cup shootout history supports Wrexham
Chris Sutton’s Ipswich choice sounds fair for the ultimate winner of the FA Cup matchday. However, history has time and time again proved the nature of FA Cup penalties, where no side remains the favourite anymore.
Take, for instance, Wrexham’s Cupset over Nottingham Forest this season. Despite going into the clash as underdogs against a PL opponent, a brilliant matchday start alongside a home support changed the odds.
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Though Nottingham tried scrapping their way back into the game, the Racecourse played in as the 12th man to send Wrexham through. While this remains the only instance of Wrexham’s victory in an FA Cup penalty shootout, their record is still better than Ipswich’s.
The Reds’ penalty shootout tally reads a win over Nottingham and a defeat to Brighton(in the 2011/12 FA Cup season). Ipswich’s only shootout experience ended as a nightmare as they were knocked out by Nottingham last season in the 5th round.
Notably, this shared Nottingham experience would give Wrexham hope in case the fixture extends to a penalty shootout. Being the hosts, the Reds can repeat their 1994/95 cup heroics, where they beat Ipswich.
Wrexham Vs Ipswich result starts a new chapter of faceoff
With Wrexham spending a fair share of its history in the lower tiers and Ipswich competing in the Championship, the two sides have had limited faceoffs so far. After the 1994/95 3rd round FA Cup clash, this season’s Championship game was their second meeting ever.
Now that Wrexham and Ipswich are touted to face each other twice in the next 7 days, a new chapter of rivalry is about to begin. Here’s where the FA Cup result becomes even more crucial to the buildup of the next clash.
Notably, a knockout in the FA Cup 4th round won’t be very difficult to move on for either Wrexham or Ipswich. However, a win in this contest guarantees a confidence boost for when these two sides faceoff in the Championship within days.
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