Norwich vs Ipswich Prediction: Expect goals in crunch derby tussle

East Anglia comes to a halt on Saturday lunchtime when bitter rivals Norwich and Ipswich meet in a derby with more than usual riding on it.

Sixth-placed Norwich are on a fine run of form but need to keep it going to cement their place in the play-offs, while leaders Ipswich cannot afford any mis-steps with Leeds and Leicester in hot pursuit.

Team News

Winger Jonathan Rowe’s quest to return after a two-month lay-off has failed. He is joined on the sidelines by Jacob Sorensen who limped out of Monday’s 3-1 loss at Leicester. Shane Duffy will slot into the back four.

George Hirst is definitely out and Kieffer Moore a major doubt which means Ali Al-Hamadi is pencilled in to start up front for Ipswich. Wes Burns is also set to miss out and Leif Davis is one of four players recovering from a bug.

Match Odds

Norwich, who haven’t lost any of their last 13 matches against Ipswich, are 7/4 - or a 36.4% chance - to keep that run going with a win. Ipswich are a 6/4 chance with the draw available at 5/2.

Norwich and Ipswich are third and first respectively in the goals-per-game table so no surprise over 2.5 goals is 8/13 and it’s 1/2 that both sides score.

Over 3.5 Goals @ 6/4

There is supposed to be tension in the air at Carrow Road but roared on by rival fans creating a frenzied atmosphere, expect the goals to pile up in this crunch East Anglian dust-up.

Both sides’ matches are going at over three goals per game and this could be anything.

Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna might think a point away from home at an in-form rival is a point well earned. But with Leeds and Leicester right on their tail, it would actually represent two points lost - and anyway, the Tractor Boys don’t sit back.

As for Norwich, their place in the play-offs isn’t under enormous threat though it would be if they slip up.

And on the back of seven straight home wins, David Wagner will want his side to keep that run going against the league’s top side.

Norwich haven’t lost at home since November and the health bulletins coming out of Portman Road suggest they might have an edge here. But derby fever means the formbook and the script are probably best ignored in a game where passions are sure to run high.

Norwich Most Corners @ 5/6

The bare stats suggest Norwich will land the corner honours against their local rivals.

The Canaries are averaging 6.1 corners per game at Carrow Road this season where they give up around four.

Away from home, Ipswich have been winning a more modest 4.2 corners but conceding 6.7.

Norwich are in such good form and will be on the front foot so back them to dominate the corners battle.

Check out our other Football Betting Tips here.