Town boss Mick McCarthy is pleased that the Blues’ FA Cup third round tie against Sheffield United is at home.
The Blues were paired with the Blades, who are fourth in the Championship, in Monday’s draw with the tie confirmed for Saturday 6th January (KO 3pm) yesterday with ticket prices significantly reduced. If a replay is required it will take place in the week commencing Monday 15th January.
"I’d much prefer to be playing here against Sheffield United than going there, that’s for certain,” McCarthy said.
"They were very good when we played them on the day [at Bramall Lane in October when the Blades won 1-0]. They’ve been great all season, so it looks like a good cup tie that.”
Town and the South Yorkshiremen last met in the FA Cup in Sheffield at the fourth round stage in January 2003 when the home side won a classic 4-3.
The sides also faced one another in the fourth round in 1998 when they drew 1-1 at Portman Road and the Blades won the replay 1-0 at Bramall Lane.
Prior to that the teams clashed in their only previous third round tie at Portman Road in January 1974 when the Blues won 3-2.
Blues boss Mick McCarthy is still to win an FA Cup tie since taking over at Town in November 2012 with the Blues’ last victory in the tournament the 2-1 third round victory at Blackpool back in January 2010 during Roy Keane’s time in charge.
Last season Town were embarrassingly beaten 1-0 at the third round stage by then-Vanarama National League side Lincoln City in a replay at Sincil Bank.
FA Cup Third Round Draw
Ipswich Town v Sheffield United
Watford v Bristol City
Birmingham City v Burton Albion
Liverpool v Everton
Brighton v Crystal Palace
Aston Villa v Woking or Peterborough United
Bournemouth v AFC Fylde or Wigan Athletic
Coventry City v Stoke City
Newport County v Leeds United
Bolton Wanderers v Huddersfield Town
Port Vale or Yeovil Town v Bradford City
Nottingham Forest v Arsenal
Brentford v Notts County
Queens Park Rangers v MK Dons
Manchester United v Derby County
Forest Green Rovers or Exeter City v West Bromwich Albion
Doncaster Rovers v Slough Town or Rochdale
Tottenham Hotspur v Wimbledon
Middlesbrough v Sunderland
Fleetwood Town or Hereford v Leicester City
Blackburn Rovers or Crewe Alexandra v Hull City
Cardiff City v Mansfield Town
Manchester City v Burnley
Shrewsbury Town v West Ham United
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Swansea City
Stevenage v Reading
Newcastle United v Luton Town
Millwall v Barnsley
Fulham v Southampton
Wycombe Wanderers v Preston North End
Norwich City v Chelsea
Gillingham or Carlisle United v Sheffield Wednesday