Evening folks! We're 55 minutes away from kickoff in Suffolk as Ipswich and Southampton look to make it through to the fourth round of the FA Cup where Crystal Palace await.

The team news has just been released so let's get right down to it.

IPSWICH XI: Bialkowski; Chambers, Berra, Smith, Parr; Hyam, Bru, Ambrose, Hunt; McGoldrick, Murphy
Subs: Crowe, Mings, Clarke, Stewart, Anderson, McQueen, Bajner

Mick McCarthy makes two changes to the side that started at St Mary's 10 days ago. Number-one keeper Bartosz Bialkowski returns as Dean Gerken, who probably would have played tonight, is injured. Elsewhere, highly-rated left-back Tyrone Mings is relegated to the bench as Jonathan Parr starts in the back four.

SOUTHAMPTON XI: Forster; Clyne, Fonte, Gardos, Targett; Reed, Wanyama, Ward-Prowse, Bertrand; Tadic; Long
Subs: K. Davis, S. Davis, Cork, Pellè, Isgrove, McCarthy, Hesketh

As for Ronald Koeman's side, there are three changes from the first tie, with Morgan Schneiderlein, Steven Davis and Graziano Pelle dropped. Schneiderlein is injured, while Davis and Pelle are on the bench. In come Nathaniel Clyne, Harrison Reed and Matt Targett.

VINE: A quick look around Portman Road... #saintsfc https://t.co/OVDeXPAXXs — Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) January 14, 2015

Interestingly, tonight's game pits third in the Premier League against third in the Championship. Southampton are on the up following their 1-0 victory at Old Trafford against Manchester United which took them above the Red Devils, while Ipswich dropped from second to third on Saturday by losing at home to Derby County, who leapfrogged the Blues into the automatic promotion places.

That 1-0 loss at home to Derby ended an 11-game unbeaten run for Ipswich and was their first defeat at Portman Road since August when they also lost 1-0 in the East Anglian derby to Norwich City.

Still, McCarthy's men are just a point off the top in the second tier and are enjoying their best season in a decade. It's well documented just how well Mick has done by just spending £10,000 on transfers. That was for left-back Mings, who could be sold this month or in the summer for up to £10m. Some profit.

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INJURY! PA journalist Simon Peach reports that Southampton midfielder Schneiderlin faces two to three weeks out with an adductor strain. Big blow for the Saints, but may put off potential clubs trying to sign him this month.

It's a cold Wednesday night in Ipswich, but Portman Road is expected to be a near sell-out tonight thanks to an inviting pricing on the game. Ipswich took the biggest ever away crowd to St Mary's for the initial tie so it should be a great atmosphere again.

A reminder that the winner of tonight's game will earn a home tie against Crystal Palace in round four.

REFEREE WATCH: The man in charge tonight is Graham Scott.

Both of these clubs have won the famous old trophy on one occasion and they did it within two years of each other in the 70s. Southampton beat Manchester United in 1976, while Ipswich got the better of Arsenal in 78.

Southampton boss Koeman confirms on the Saints' Twitter that he is playing a 3-5-2 formation tonight, with Clyne and Bertrand as wing-backs: "I think if we play with three centre-backs against two attackers then we have more control and more ball possession."

Ipswich's strikeforce will fancy their chances against that backline. In Daryl Murphy they have the Championship's top-scorer and a player who has more league goals than any Premier League player with 17 this season. None of which have been penalties.

Mings will be quite gutted not to be playing against the club that released him as an academy player. The reason was because he was too small - he's now 6'5" and the Saints will certainly regret letting him go.

I think Southampton have to start this game as favourites given their current form. They are unbeaten in six and recently taken seven points out of a possible nine in the league against Chelsea, Arsenal and Man Utd to rise up to third.

There are two other third-round replays tonight with Bradford taking on Millwall and Spurs hosting Burnley. Will we see as much drama as last night when there was two penalty shootouts at West Ham and Wolves.

PREDICTION TIME! This is a really tough game to call, so I'm going to say that it'll take extra time to separate the Blues and the Saints. Southampton to win inside 120 minutes.

Last time Southampton played at Portman Road, this is what happened:

Five minutes until kickoff in chilly Suffolk. A midweek trip to face a gritty Championship side is not exactly what Southampton need given their surprising chase for a Champions League place in the Premier League, but they'll also fancy a deep run in the Cup for sure. Should be a great game.

Set pieces could be key tonight. Ipswich have scored more goals than anyone else in the Championship from dead balls, with centre-backs Christophe Berra and Tommy Smith netting nine goals between them.

The two sides exit the tunnel in front of a near sell-out at Portman Road. It will be the biggest attendance for many years tonight.

Local Ipswich journalist Stuart Watson reveals just before kickoff that Manchester United's Nick Powell is a possible loan target this month. Interesting news for the Blues. Back to the game though!

KICKOFF! Ipswich get us underway.

Pretty even start to the game, but it's Ipswich who have probably just shaded it. The ball was just flicked in the direction of McGoldrick in the box but it was overhit and easy for Forster to collect.

Ambitious effort from Ambrose, who scored Ipswich's goal in the initial tie, as he has a pop from 30 yards and blazes it a long way over.

DISALLOWED! Ipswich have the ball in the net as Hunt coolly slots home but it won't count as the diminutive Irishman was just offside. Close, but the right call.

A suspect clearance from Ipswich keeper Bialkowski that falls at the feet of Wanyama in the middle. He attempts an outrageous first-time shot on his weaker left foot and smashes it high into the Sir Bobby Robson stand.

Bialkowski is a former Southampton player and greeted current number-two Kelvin Davis before the game. The latter also spent several years at Ipswich.

PICTURE | Former teammates @1BartMan1 and Kevin Davis embrace before the game #itfc #saintsfc pic.twitter.com/LbjAwrgv3Q — Ipswich Town FC (@Official_ITFC) January 14, 2015

UPDATE: No goals at Portman Road, but there has already been four goals in the other two replays tonight. Bradford lead Millwall 2-0, while Spurs are losing 2-1 at home to Burnley.

We're still awaiting the first real chance of the game in Suffolk. Both sides are feeling each other out and not willing to commit too many bodies forward.

I mentioned that Ipswich have a great set-piece record this season, but Southampton have arguably the best free-kick taker in the country in James Ward-Prowse. He whips in an inviting ball that is just too strong and easy for Bialkowski to claim.

The pitch is quite cut up at Portman Road and played a big part in Saturday's game when Derby County visited. It's in slightly better condition tonight but still quite bad and meaning that neither side can string many passes together.

Ipswich win their first corner of the match, but Ambrose's delivery comes to nothing. The ball finds its way back to the midfielder, but his second cross is terrible.

Southampton take the lead out of nowhere as Smith comes across to deny Ward-Prowse in the box. His tackle is a good one, but unluckily goes straight to Long, who instinctively finishes at the near post.

Ipswich look to respond instantly as McGoldrick gets the ball on the edge of the box and shifts it onto his right foot before firing high and wide.

That goal really did come as a complete surprise. Most inside the ground thought that Long had hooked into the side-netting, but he precisely got it inside the post. Long way back for Ipswich now given how well Southampton can keep the ball.

You might have thought that that goal would have sparked a response from Ipswich, but it's Southampton who have stepped it up a gear and are looking for a second.

McGoldrick bursts into some space down the right and gets a little lucky with a couple of tackles that bounce his way before his pass out to the left is cut out at the last minute by Targett.

CLOSE! Ward-Prowse's effort from distance takes the slightest of deflections and Bialkowski can only watch as it just misses the crossbar.

Worrying times for Ipswich here as top-scorer Murphy stays down in the box with blood pouring from his face following a collision with his own teammate Parr when trying to clear a corner.

PHOTO: @Prowsey16 battles with #ITFC's Kevin Bru during the early stages at Portman Road. #saintsfc pic.twitter.com/mCmjkVR4pQ

— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) January 14, 2015

Murphy is back on with an unnamed shirt and all bandaged up after that hefty collision.

Long charges down Bialkowski's kick and keeps the ball in by finding Tadic with a flick. The Serbian's cross from the right is high and fairly easy for Ipswich to deal with.

Back come Ipswich down the right as Ambrose holds off Bertrand well before whipping in a decent cross. McGoldrick's the only man in the middle, though, and it's too strong for him. Murphy is a good header of the ball and should be in there.

Smith gets across his man, but can't make good contact on Ambrose's cross.

Ipswich win a free kick about 30 yards from goal and McGoldrick goes for goal but is lucky to get a corner as he hit it poorly into the wall.

The rain is now falling in Suffolk and it's making the pitch even slower. Smith's backpass to Bialkowski is almost cut out by Long, who again charges down the Polish keeper. He's worked ever so hard.

Another break in play after Chambers and Targett clashed heads. While we wait for play to continue, here's a shot of Long slotting Southampton in front:

PHOTO: @ShaneLong7 converts to put #SaintsFC ahead at Portman Road. pic.twitter.com/5JeEjiZfWW

— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) January 14, 2015

A decent spell of pressure from Ipswich, but it's all around 30-40 yards from goal and not really threatening Southampton in any way.

SHOT! Just after four minutes of added time are signalled, Tadic bursts into the box from a Ward-Prowse backheel and cuts in onto his stronger left foot before a combination of Hyam and Smith made a good block.

SHOT! There's the interplay between Murphy and McGoldrick that Ipswich fans are used to. The latter surges into the box and should fire it across goal for a teammate but instead goes for glory from a tight angle and smacks it wide. Poor.

Terrible viewing for Saints fans as Wanyama pulls up holding his hamstring. Surely that's his night over and with the injury to Schneiderlein that we brought you news of earlier, this is really worrying for Koeman and Southampton.

It's Southampton who lead by a single goal at the break thanks to Long's composed finish. It was the only shot on target of the whole half.

Ipswich did have the ball in the net early on, but Hunt was offside and celebrated too early. Replays show that the Irishman might have just been onside, but it was a very tight call and it's hard to blame the linesman.

ACTION SHOT | @stephenhunt1010 wheels off to celebrate..before seeing the offside flag which ruled his goal out #itfc pic.twitter.com/UNVqcXGORw — Ipswich Town FC (@Official_ITFC) January 14, 2015

If you're only just joining us and want a quick recap of the first half, our HT report is just for you.

HT SCORES: Bradford 3-0 Millwall, Spurs 2-2 Burnley

One bit of good news for Ipswich - they next play Millwall in the league with the Lions in absolute free fall. Ian Holloway is in real trouble.

SOUTHAMPTON SUB: Unsurprisingly, Wanyama has been forced off with that hamstring strain and will be replaced by Steven Davis. Southampton look fairly comfortable tonight and might not miss Wanyama, but it'll be a big blow to lose him in the league.

KICKOFF! Southampton get us back underway at Portman Road. No changes from McCarthy.

Davis with a great ball inside Parr for Tadic, who looks like he will be through on goal until he slows down and Parr is able to nab the ball away. Tadic is holding his hip, surely not more problems for the Saints?

The playmaker seems OK and will carry on. Moments later Bertrand also goes down but he's up quickly. Southampton really are in the top-four mix and it would be a great shame to see their Champions League challenge ruined by injuries.

Tadic has acres of space down the right and produces a deep cross to the back post that is hooked into the middle but cleared by a blue shirt. A waste of a promising situation there.

Patient build-up, with McGoldrick at the heart of it down the left, for Ipswich, but they just can't create anything dangerous to worry Southampton.

IPSWICH SUB: Interesting change by McCarthy as he brings on former Southampton youth player Mings for Hunt. Mings is usually a left-back, with Hunt playing in midfield. A change of formation maybe?

SAVE! Mings is out on the left and he is why Ipswich have their first shot on target as his cross from the wing is headed at goal by Ambrose, with Forster making an easy save.

Mings's introduction has seen Ipswich match Southampton up with a 3-5-2 formation. Parr switches to right wing-back, Mings on the left.

Tonight's attendance at Portman Road is 27,933, with 1,126 away fans. That's Ipswich's biggest gate in over three years.

At the hour mark, Long's goal continues to separate third place in the Championship and third place in the Premier League.

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IPSWICH SUB: McGoldrick appeared to pick up a slight knock a few minutes ago and he comes off to be replaced by Balint Bajner, who makes a rare appearance.

And McGoldrick was definitely hobbling a little there as he left the field. Southampton have lost Wanyama to injury and now Ipswich could be hurt too with McGoldrick seemingly in trouble.

SOUTHAMPTON SUB: Moments after wasting a chance in the box, Tadic is replaced by Pelle.

After a poor few minutes of football, Southampton have a shot through Davis. His effort is high over the bar, but Southampton might have had a better chance had Long brought down a ball over the top and bore down on goal.

I mentioned that Bajner rarely plays for Ipswich - this is his first appearance since October 21. Can the Hungarian make an impact?

Even though there's over 15 minutes to go, Ipswich are already resorting to high balls into big centre-forwards Bajner and Murphy. The poor state of the pitch means that a passing game is very difficult.

Bru wins a 50-50 about 30 yards out and gets off a quick shot that is well-hit and dipping but started off too high and was never coming down.

I have seen Ipswich on several occasions this season and many times they have looked like the promotion candidates that they are. However, in the last two televised games against Derby and Southampton they have been really off-colour.

Southampton have done enough so far and Ipswich fans will be particularly disappointed given the high turnout at Portman Road. They need to give the fans something back in the last 10 minutes.

IPSWICH SUB: Cameron Stewart, who joined Ipswich in the summer but has barely played because of injury, replaces Ambrose.

The Clyne-Mings battle has been a really good one since the latter was introduced. Something we could see in the top flight not before long.

PICTURE: Tyrone Mings takes on Nathaniel Clyne for Town @OfficialTM_3 #itfc pic.twitter.com/4lLNsh3yTJ — Ipswich Town FC (@Official_ITFC) January 14, 2015

Bialkowski's punt forward sails out of play. Sums up Ipswich's night.

Not long now for Ipswich. They still can't produce anything to worry their Premier League opponents, who look so so comfortable.

THREE minutes added on by the fourth official. Ipswich don't really deserve anything, but can they send it to extra time?

A poor, poor game of football that was settled by one cool instinctive finish by Shane Long.

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Southampton go through to face Crystal Palace in the fourth round.

For Ipswich, they fail to reach the fourth round for the fifth season in a row. Last time they did get through the third round they lost to Southampton.

Anyway, that's all we've got time for this evening. Congratulations on Southampton on reaching the next stage, while for Ipswich it's all about the league and that push for promotion. Good night!