It is fifth against 23rd at Portman Road on Saturday as Ipswich Town host Bristol City in the Championship.
Neither side has been in good form this month, but it is Ipswich's strong start to the season in August which has them in the playoff places as newly-promoted City flounder near the bottom.
Ipswich
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Until this season, Ipswich had never won a cup match under Mick McCarthy. That changed in the Capital One Cup this term, but the Tractor Boys saw their run in the competition end at Old Trafford last night.
A trip to Manchester United was a dream draw for many supporters, but it was not a fairytale night as Louis van Gaal's side cruised to a 3-0 win to book their place in the next round.
McCarthy has repeatedly said that this match against the Robins was of more importance and that was evident in his starting lineup as the whole XI was changed for last night's game.
Last time out in the league, Ipswich faced Birmingham City on Friday night and shared the spoils with Gary Rowett's side. A contentious penalty saw Ipswich get level before they had the better of the chances in the second half but failed to put one away to miss out on victory.
That makes it two home matches without a win for the Blues and if they fail to beat the Robins they will go winless in three at home for the first time since January 2014.
Despite the recent slump in Suffolk, since Mick McCarthy took charge in November 2012, no Championship side has won more home games than Ipswich (39).
Recent Championship form: WWLLWD
Recent form (all competitions): WLLWDL
Bristol City
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The only thing keeping Bristol City off the bottom of the table is the fact that they come before Rotherham United in the alphabet.
After eight games of the season, the Robins and Millers have exactly the same points, goal difference, goals scored and goals conceded, with the duo claiming five points from a possible 24 to start the season.
City's only win was arguably the biggest shock this season when they edged out Middlesbrough, who have won six on the bounce since, but since then they have lost three of four and claimed just a solitary point away at fellow strugglers Preston North End.
Their last defeat at home to Reading on Saturday was the first time since the opening day that they have failed to score as they conceded their 16th and 17th goals of the season.
The pressure is mounting on Steve Cotterill, who said today that he does not expect to benefit from having a free midweek as Ipswich made 11 changes in their League Cup defeat at Old Trafford.
Recent form: DWLLDL
Team News
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With McCarthy completely overhauling his starting XI in midweek, it is likely that he will revert back to a similar side that started against Birmingham last Friday.
Top-scorer Freddie Sears should return up front and it will be a difficult decision for McCarthy when he decides who to partner Sears with. Daryl Murphy, David McGoldrick and Brett Pitman can all stake a claim.
Cotterill, meanwhile, is boosted by the return of Nathan Baker in defence, while in midfield Korey Smith is rated as 50-50 after suffering a knock against Reading.
If Smith fails to get fit in time, Bobby Reid could take his place in the centre.
Ipswich possible starting lineup:
Gerken; Chambers, Smith, Berra, Knudsen; Maitland-Niles, Skuse, Douglas, Fraser; Sears, McGoldrick
Bristol City possible starting lineup:
Fielding; Moore, Flint, Baker; Ayling, Pack, Smith, Freeman, Bryan; Wilbraham, Kodjia
Head To Head
Ipswich are unbeaten in 10 home games against the Robins (W7 D3), conceding just six goals in this run.
However, City did win the two sides' last encounter in January 2013 when Jon Stead scored a last-gasp winner against his former club.
The goals City scored that day were two of just seven that they have managed in their last 13 games against the Tractor Boys.
We say: Ipswich 3-1 Bristol City
It might only be one win in five for Ipswich, but if you had to pick a team to play at the moment it might be City. The Robins have struggled back in the second tier and are unlikely to take anything from Portman Road.
Pascal Lemesre
