Ipswich vs Maidstone tips and predictions: Back Championship side to exploit leaky opponents
- George Dempsey
- 24 January 2024
Ipswich Town will welcome Maidstone United to Portman Road for an FA Cup fourth-round clash in front of the TV cameras on Saturday (1230 GMT).
Maidstone deserve bags of credit for reaching the FA Cup fourth round as a National League South side, but this test is on another level.
Ipswich Town were tipped to knock on the play-off door this season but the Tractor Boys are firmly in the promotion mix approaching the 30-game mark.
Despite suffering some recent setbacks on home soil, Kieran McKenna’s side are still dominating games and scoring bundles of goals.
Their quality was displayed in the third round as they navigated a tricky away tie against Wimbledon, beating them 3-1.
Visitors Maidstone have upset two league teams in Barrow and Stevenage to reach this stage but both games were at home.
That should come as no surprise as they’ve lost just two of 16 at home this campaign and have picked up 10 wins along the way.
It’s a different story on their travels where they are winless in six and have lost six of nine.
One of the biggest plus points was how well-organised they looked early in the season, conceding just 10 in their first 13 away trips.
Since losing 5-2 to Hampton and Richmond on November 11, the Stones have conceded three or more goals on four occasions and have shipped an average of 2.75 goals.
We all know teams raise their level for games like his, but the numbers are ominous as they prepare to visit a Championship team who have scored three or more in eight of 14 home games.
There’s been a drop off in their goalscoring form over the past eight weeks but against this level of opposition, they may see an opportunity to find their grove again.
