'Careless' - ex-Norwich star tells Bristol Rovers key Ipswich weakness and reveals FA Cup scoreline verdict

Bristol Rovers have a chance to book their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup this weekend, when they take on Ipswich Town at Portman Road.

The Pirates head into the match in decent spirits, after bouncing back from a 3-2 home loss to Leyton Orient by beating Cambridge United 1-0 away from home last weekend. The result saw the club move five points clear of the relegation zone, ahead of what should be a roller-coaster ride in the second half of the season.

Meanwhile, work continues behind the scenes in the hectic January transfer window, with the club already getting an impressive deal for ex-West Brom star Romaine Sawyers over the line.

Ahead of Rovers' clash with Ipswich Town, BBC Sport pundit Chris Sutton cast his scoreline prediction for the match, along with the rest of the scheduled FA Cup third round clashes.

What scoreline has been predicted for Ipswich vs Bristol Rovers?

Offering his verdict on Sunday afternoon's upcoming encounter, Sutton said: "Less than two years ago, this was a game in League One - which shows how far Ipswich have come, and so quickly. Ipswich are giving staying up a real go.

"I can't help my feelings for them as an ex-Norwich player, but my admiration for them is growing on a weekly basis because they are competitive in every game, and they always give themselves a chance. Still, they must have been kicking themselves after their draw with Fulham on Sunday.

"That was not the first time they have conceded late on this season, and those careless goals are really costing them. Ipswich are not going to struggle in this one, though. They will have too much for Bristol Rovers, who are having a tough time in League One."

Sutton, a former Norwich City and Chelsea striker, then went on to reveal his scoreline prediction, backing Ipswich to cruise to a comfortable 3-0. Meanwhile, his predictions sparring partner for the week - Hollywood star Billy Bob Thornton - went for a 2-1 win for the hosts.

When did Bristol Rovers last play Ipswich Town?

As alluded to by Sutton, the two sides last faced each other back in 2023, in a first round League Cup clash at Portman Road. It was the hosts who progressed to the next round, sealing a 2-0 win against a Rovers side who were reduced to nine mine after both Alfie Kilgour and Bobby Thomas were both sent off during an ill-tempered encounter.

The furthest the Gas have got in the FA Cup in relatively recent times was the 2007/08 season, when the side battled their way through to the quarter-finals of the competition, before finally being defeated by West Bromwich Albion.

A memorable campaign saw Rovers get through the first round against Leyton Orient, drawing the initial game 1-1 before eventually progressing after a thrilling 3-3 replay that culminated in a penalty shootout win. Rushton and Diamonds were confidently dispatched 5-0 in the second round, before another two-game affair saw the side get passed Fulham in another penalty shootout following a replay.

Fans of the Pirates started to dream of Wembley, after Barnet and Southampton were both defeated, before an agonising 5-1 thrashing by the Baggies at the Memorial Stadium ended the run.

The entertaining cup campaign was also notable for the performances of Rovers striker Ricky Lambert, who was the competition's second top scorer with six goals, just one behind Peterborough United's Craig Mackail-Smith.