It’s more than local pride at stake in this encounter as both of these teams aim to fine tune their play off challenge. It would be fair to say that Norwich’s campaign has been a little more successful than their opponents, with the Canaries in 8th position with goal difference being the only obstacle to the playoffs. Ipswich meanwhile have suffered some poor form in recent weeks and are a few points lower in 13th.
There was never any doubt that Norwich would be in for a successful season under Paul Lambert and the former Celtic midfielder is proving his managerial credentials by the week. The Canaries have collected twenty seven points from their opening eighteen games and that puts them in 8th position, along with a whole host of other teams. Should they conjure a victory here there is a good chance they’ll find themselves in the top six by Sunday evening and that should provide extra motivation ahead of this local derby. Form for Lambert’s men has been a little dry recently though and having drawn their last four, they really need to start turning those games into three points.
Ipswich on the other hand have struggled in recent weeks and Roy Keane is another manager feeling the pressure. The former Sunderland manager hasn’t exactly set the world alight during his time at Portman Road and having spent millions in the transfer market over the past two years, the Tractor Boys faithful will have been expecting more than their current position of 13th. The main reason behind their poor position is their recent form and having lost their last three games, it’s no surprise that they have tumbled down the table. What’s more, two of their recent opponents, Barnsley and Hull, were struggling at the bottom so it’s not as though Town were facing a gruelling schedule either.
It’s mixed news on the team news front for the home side who will be without Adam Drury, while Korey Smith is also a doubt through injury. However, the Canaries will be looking to hand a debut to Henri Lansbury after the youngster joined on loan from Arsenal earlier in the week. Ipswich meanwhile have been handed some bad news ahead of this fixture with injury ruling Gareth McAuley out until the New Year. Connor Wickham is another player kept out due to injury, but Roy Keane could hand starts to new loan signings Rory Fallon and Gianni Zuiverloon.
As for a prediction, we think Norwich will just about edge this one. Ipswich are in poor form at the moment and while Norwich are without a win in recent weeks, they have proved hard to beat. With that, we’ll predict a narrow 1-0 victory for the home side.
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