East Anglian Derby to Make or Break Ipswich’s Promotion Bid
Ipswich Town are enjoying an unprecedented first season back in the EFL Championship. The newly-promoted Tractor Boys had to rack up 98 points just to secure automatic promotion from League One in 2022/23 and now a similar points total may be needed for them to realise their Premier League dream.
Standing in their way is a tricky away trip to bitter local rivals, Norwich City. With Ipswich setting the Championship alight in their return to the second tier, the Canaries have been left trailing in Town’s wake for the first time in well over a decade. In the home fixture earlier in the season, Town could only manage a 2-2 draw at Portman Road, despite dominating large spells of the contest.
Norwich, managed by experienced German coach, David Wagner, have picked up in the last couple of months. The Norfolk side are now well in the playoff shake-up and a victory over Ipswich could cement their top six credentials on 6th April.
The 6th April promises to be a defining day in the Premier League title race too, when Arsenal travel to Manchester United. If Erik ten Hag’s Red Devils can beat their long-time rivals at Old Trafford this could lead to a seismic shift in the latest Premier League odds for the title.
Nevertheless, all eyes in East Anglia will be fixed firmly on Carrow Road, as Kieran McKenna’s impressive Ipswich look to secure their first derby win over City since April 2009. Both clubs have experienced contrasting fortunes during this time, with Norwich enjoying brief spells in the Premier League and Ipswich stagnating in the lower reaches of the second tier before falling into League One.
A win for Ipswich at Carrow Road could be the catalyst the Tractor Boys need to turbocharge their automatic promotion push. With the likes of Leeds, Leicester and Southampton in the mix, Ipswich need to be almost punch-perfect during the business end of the season.
However, it’s also worth noting that there’s very little expectation on this Ipswich squad, who were largely tipped for a top-ten finish at best before a ball was kicked this season. Whereas Leeds, Leicester and Southampton all need promotion to avoid having to sell off their elite-level talent.
That lack of pressure could play nicely into Town’s hands as we approach the business end of the campaign. Striker, George Hirst, is back on the grass after a three-month lay-off with a serious hamstring injury. His return will further serve to add more firepower to an Ipswich attack that’s been the division’s top scorers. Chelsea loan starlet, Omari Hutchinson, is coming into his own and landed the Championship Player of the Month award in February.
One thing is for certain with Ipswich Town this year – it will always be entertaining.
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