Ipswich v Lincoln City Betting Tips: Hosts to get the better of non-league opposition

Second tier Ipswich welcome non-league side Lincoln City to Portman Road on Saturday afternoon as the two teams face each other in the FA Cup 3rd round.

Lincoln are one of just four non-league teams still left in the competition at this stage and, having knocked out League One’s Oldham in the previous round, will come into this match in good spirits. Having said that, the hosts know that they’ve been handed a golden opportunity to make it through to the 4th round – an opportunity that they really should be grabbing with both hands.

The bet to go for ahead of this one is ‘Ipswich to Win & Over 2.5 Goals’ at 13/10. The Championship side really should have more than enough about them to come through this tie having enjoyed a fruitful afternoon going forward.

Mick McCarthy’s men certainly aren’t the best attacking side the Championship has to offer – 25 goals scored is hardly a tally to shout about too loudly about – but when they’ve managed to come out on top they’ve often done so in high-scoring matches, while the disparity in quality here should help them along nicely.

Although they aren’t the sort of team who’re going to score three or four every week, The Tractor Boys have found goals easier to come by in recent weeks having scored seven goals in their last five matches. This match against opposition who ply their trade at a much, much lower level presents McCarthy’s side with a real opportunity to really hit their stride in front of goal.

In their own division, Lincoln are a side who’re going well, although, it has to be said that form in the National League is hardly comparable when weighing up their prospects against a side playing three divisions above. The Imps certainly score plenty of goals at their own level, but they also concede their fair share. They may have scored an impressive 55 goals in the National League this season, but in conceding 26 they’ve showcased frailties at the back. Danny Cowley’s side have also kept just one clean sheet on the road this season so you’d have to fear for them defensively in this one.

Goals have been very much the order of the day for these two in recent weeks. At least three goals were scored in four of Ipswich’s last five, while an ‘Over 2.5 Goals’ bet would have landed in each of Lincoln’s last five. This trend is fancied to continue here, although there can only be one winner.

It would be very disappointing if Ipswich failed to get the job done at the first time of asking and they are fancied to come through what looks as though it could be a goal-filled game.

Click here to see all of Saturday’s tips.