What Bristol Rovers can expect from now-Premier League Ipswich Town following rapid rise

Although it's not the most glamorous of FA Cup ties against Premier League opposition for Bristol Rovers, Sunday's third round trip to Portman Road is still a good opportunity for the Gas to test themselves against top-flight calibre players as they look to cause an unlikely upset.

Rovers have travelled to Ipswich in five of the last six seasons despite the Tractor Boys' rapid rise to the top of English football with the two sides facing off in three of the Suffolk outfit's four campaigns at League One level in recent times while there was also a Carabao Cup clash at Portman Road last season.

However, this Ipswich will look different in areas while also including familiar faces that would have come up against the Gas in league football less than two years ago, emphasising just how remarkable Sunday's hosts' catapult up the pyramid has been.

Neither side particularly need the FA Cup this campaign with Rovers looking to get away from any immediate relegation threat as quickly as possible while Ipswich are currently sat in the Premier League drop zone, albeit on goal difference.

Naturally, the Tractor Boys will be clear favourites for the tie, but with wholesale rotation expected, the Gas might make it less straightforward than it seemingly needs to be.

To get more of an insight on Rovers' third round opponents, Bristol Live spoke to Ipswich Town reporter for the East Anglian Daily Times Alex Jones to get the lowdown on all things Blues...

How would you assess Ipswich's Premier League effort so far?

They have made really solid start. Ipswich obviously invested heavily, with the second highest net spend in English football behind Brighton over the summer, but they needed to.

Bristol Rovers fans will remember when the two teams were in the same division – it really wasn’t that long ago. The step-up to the Championship is big, but it’s a chasm when you start looking at the Premier League.

There have been some teething issues in terms of the style and bedding in new players, but Kieran McKenna has adapted really well. Town have been competitive in the vast majority of their games and have been pretty unlucky with some results, be that due to individual errors or controversial VAR decisions.

The win against Chelsea at the end of December shows what they are capable of.

What has it been like to cover the club's recent rise?

I only started covering Ipswich when they returned to the Championship, but it’s been really special. Promotion from League One was expected, but last season was unlike anything I’ve been involved in.

They battled against the odds to compete with three of the strongest sides in Championship history, finishing above two of them to secure automatic promotion. I’m not sure there will be another story quite like it at that level.

What makes it even more unique is that there’s a core group of players who have been part of the journey from the start. Luke Woolfenden, for example, in a boyhood Ipswich fan who fell out of favour under previous management and almost left the club, but he’s now playing for them in the Premier League.

Wes Burns, Nathan Broadhead, Conor Chaplin and Sam Morsy are just a handful of players who were signed in League One and now play regular top-flight football with the same club. It’s great to see.

How do you think Kieran McKenna will approach the FA Cup this year?

Survival will obviously be the priority, but the FA Cup will be important. There are fewer fixtures in the Premier League, and with blank Premier League weekends for this competition, it’s a good opportunity to maintain match fitness.

Ipswich would love a deep run in this competition, looking at what Championship side Coventry City did last season. It’s certainly achievable.

That being said, wholesale changes are still expected, but Town know all about upsets against lower-league opponents. The Maidstone United game from last season won’t be forgotten in a hurry.

What does pending arrival Jaden Philogene add to this squad and what are the chances of seeing him in action against Bristol Rovers?

Jaden Philogene is someone that Kieran McKenna has wanted to sign for a while. Ipswich agreed a deal to sign him from Hull City over the summer, but former club Aston Villa triggered a clause to match the bid and bring him back to Villa Park.

However, with game time limited under Unai Emery, he’s been allowed to leave. A permanent deal was a surprise, but it will ease the Villans’ PSR woes.

He adds pace, energy and a bit of skill. His Championship form – 12 goals and six assists last season – shows that he’s a threat in the final third, it’s just about transferring that to the Premier League.

His versatility will also be a huge appeal for McKenna, and he knows fellow attackers Liam Delap and Omari Hutchinson from the England Under-21s.

I think he’s likely to feature against Bristol Rovers and could even start. Ipswich don’t have a lot of fit wide options, particularly on the right, and McKenna often uses cup games to get new signings up to speed.

It’s a short turnaround for Town as well, with Brighton coming to Portman Road next Thursday.

Who are the Ipswich players to look out for on Sunday in your opinion?

Defensively, Cameron Burgess is likely to start and may have a point to prove. A regular in League One and the Championship, he fell behind Jacob Greaves in the pecking order but returned to the starting lineup when the £15 million summer signing injured his hamstring.

However, with Greaves now back, Burgess is out of the side once again, which has been harsh given his excellent performances.

Ahead of him, Kalvin Phillips should be given an opportunity. On loan from Manchester City, the midfielder was supposed to be Sam Morsy’s midfield partner in the Premier League. However, injuries have hampered his momentum, which has allowed Jens Cajuste to step in.

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The Swedish international has been so impressive that Phillips hasn’t had a look in recently, but we all know what he’s capable of based on his performances for Leeds United and England.

Finally, Jack Clarke will look to impress after a tough start to life at Portman Road. He’s struggled to adapt to a slightly different role on the wing, falling behind Sammie Szmodics and Broadhead in the pecking order.

He’s clearly got bags of talent, even if his confidence is low. This game could really give him a platform to kick on if he plays well.

What is your predicted line up and how do you see the game going?

Predicted XI: 4-2-3-1: Muric; H. Clarke, Godfrey, Burgess, Townsend; Phillips, Luongo; Philogene, Taylor, J. Clarke; Al-Hamadi

There’s a bit of debate surrounding the goalkeeper. Christian Walton has replaced Aro Muric as first-choice shot-stopper, so this could be a chance for the Kosovo international to show what he’s capable of. Cieran Slicker is another option.

In defence, Burgess is set to start, as mentioned, alongside Conor Townsend. Harry Clarke has been linked with a loan exit but should be given some minutes here. It could be an opportunity for new signing Ben Godfrey to get his first minutes in an Ipswich shirt.

Phillips partnering Massimo Luongo in midfield seems an obvious choice, which would push Jack Taylor into a more advanced role with Philogene and Jack Clarke either side of him.

Then Ali Al-Hamadi is nailed on to lead the line as the only fit alternative to Delap. He’s an exciting prospect but will probably drop down to the Championship for a loan spell at some point this month.

As for the game, I certainly don’t expect an easy win for Ipswich. As a Cambridge United fan, I watched Bristol Rovers closely last weekend and know what they are capable of despite their poor form. It’ll be good to see some former Town players back at Portman Road – James Wilson, Grant Ward and Luke Thomas.

I can’t see a repeat of the Maidstone debacle this time, but think it’ll be an open, entertaining game where the Gas have little to lose and will come at Ipswich. Ultimately, I think Town will have more than enough to get into the next round – but those are famous last words.