Paul Coaok’s side would have wished for a better start to their third consecutive campaign in League One, currently sitting 11th on 27 points, seven away from the playoff positions.
Ipswich did end their three-game winless run in the league last weekend, beating Crewe Alexandra 2-1 at Portman Road thanks to a strike from Bersant Celina and an own goal from Luke Offord.
Last time out, a completely changed Ipswich starting 11 took on Arsenal Under-23s in the EFL Trophy and after the game finished 2-2, with Cook’s side surrendering a two-goal lead, the Gunners progressed by winning 4-3 on penalties.
Ipswich are the second top goalscorers in League One so far this campaign, netting 36 times in 20 matches, and they will be hoping for a more straightforward tie than the FA Cup first round, when they edged past Oldham in the replay.
Barrow are currently on a nine-game winless run in League Two, which has left Cooper’s side sitting in 20th place and just four points above the relegation zone.
Last Saturday the Bluebirds just missed out on a point against sixth-placed Sutton United, who could rely on David Ajiboye’s 16th-minute goal to settle the game.
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Round Two is expected to be a harder challenge for Barrow, who eased past eighth-tiered Banbury United in the first round, winning 4-0 in Oxfordshire with the goals coming from Josh Gordon, Offrande Zanzala, Oliver Banks and Jordan Stevens.
Barrow’s home and away form is relatively similar, suggesting that Cooper’s side will not be fazed at the test of travelling to Portman Road; however, Ipswich have only tasted defeat twice in the league on home soil this season.
A win on Saturday will massively boost the confidence in the Barrow camp, and could help the side start a better run in League Two and push them higher up the table
