In a highly-anticipated East Anglian derby, Ipswich Town hosts Norwich City at Portman Road, aiming for their first win against their local rivals in over 14 years.
Ipswich comes into this fixture as favorites due to their strong form, while Norwich City looks to upset the odds following an upturn in their recent performances.
Match Preview
Ipswich Town has been in sensational form, securing wins against Middlesbrough and Watford in their recent outings.
Their four-game winning streak, coupled with an impressive home record, has put them at the top of the Championship table temporarily, showcasing their attacking prowess and defensive solidity.
In contrast, Norwich City under David Wagner faces an uphill battle, trailing Ipswich Town by 21 points.
Despite their recent form, including notable wins over Sheffield Wednesday, Norwich faces a daunting task against an in-form Ipswich team.
The last meeting between these two sides in 2019 saw Norwich City emerge victorious with a brace from Teemu Pukki and contributions from Onel Hernandez and Emiliano Buendia, underscoring their dominance in recent years.
While Ipswich holds the upper hand this season, Norwich has the potential for an upset, with players like Ashley Barnes, Jon Rowe, and Borja Sainz capable of causing problems for the hosts.
Team News
Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna is expected to make changes in the forward line, reintroducing Burns and Nathan Broadhead.
However, Sam Morsy is close to suspension and needs to be cautious. There might be defensive adjustments, with Luke Woolfenden returning to bolster the backline.
Norwich anticipates the return of Grant Hanley and Ben Gibson to bolster their defensive options.
Christian Fassnacht or Onel Hernandez could replace Sainz in the starting lineup, while Jack Stacey might take over from Kellen Fisher at right-back.
Predicted Lineups
Ipswich Town:
Hladky;
Clarke, Woolfenden, Burgess, Davis;
Morsy, Luongo, Burns, Chaplin, Broadhead;
Hirst
Norwich City:
Gunn;
Stacey, Duffy, McLean, Giannoulis;
Sara, Nunez, Rowe, Barnes, Hernandez;
Idah
Prediction: Ipswich Town 2-1 Norwich City
Despite Ipswich’s recent form and home advantage, Norwich City is likely to put up a strong fight. Nevertheless, Ipswich’s current momentum might carry them to a historic victory against Norwich City, ending their long unbeaten run in the derby.
