Town’s home Carling Cup quarter-final against West Bromwich Albion will be played on Wednesday 1st December (KO 7.45pm). The Blues play Norwich City at Carrow Road in the season’s first East Anglian derby on the previous Sunday (KO 1.15pm, BBC), hence the switch away from Town’s usual Tuesday night scheduling.
Over the weekend manager Roy Keane said that he’ll be concentrating on his side’s league form until nearer the date of the fixture: "We’re pleased with the home tie, of course we are. West Brom are a very, very good team and sent some of their squad players to Leicester and won 4-1 [in the last round].
"They turned us over comfortably last year and they are a lot, lot stronger than they were then. But that’s four or five weeks away, that’s a long, long time in football and I’m sure a lot will happen between now and then.”
The sides last met in the competition in the 1969/70 season at the third round stage with the tie going to a replay. The first game at Portman Road ended 1-1, Charlie Woods scoring for the Blues and Colin Suggett, Town's chief scout during the George Burley era, netting for the Baggies.
In the replay at the Hawthorns, the home side won 2-0 with Bobby Hope and Jeff Astle scoring the goals.
Last season in the Championship, as Albion marched into the Premier League, Town were defeated 2-0 at the Hawthorns with Youssuf Mulumbu and Robert Koren on the scoresheet.
At Portman Road, the teams drew 1-1, Grant Leadbitter netting a penalty and Chris Brunt grabbing an equaliser in the final minute.
Overall, Town have won 32 games between the sides (30 in the league), West Brom 21 (20) with 16 (14) ending in draws.
Roberto Di Matteo's men currently sit sixth in the Premier League having made an excellent start to the season.
Carling Cup - Quarter-Finals
Arsenal v Wigan Athletic (Tues)
West Ham United v Manchester United (Tues)
Birmingham City v Aston Villa (Wed)
Ipswich Town v West Bromwich Albion (Wed)
The Birmingham-Aston Villa and West Ham-Manchester United matches will be shown live on TV.