PREVIEW: Norwich aim to dent Ipswich’s promotion push in East Anglian Derby | OneFootball

Norwich City aim to put a dent in local rivals Ipswich Town’s promotion push and maintain their 20 year unbeaten run at Carrow Road in the 66th East Anglian Derby on Saturday.

Town’s first victory in the tie for 16 years, a 3-1 win back in October, left the Canaries languishing 19th in the table under Liam Manning but are a team transformed under Belgian Philippe Clement, and are now 9th with 58 points.

The stakes remain high for both clubs, as City look to maintain their unbeaten run at home against the Tractor Boys dating back to 2006, while a win could haul them as many as three points clear of the playoff places with two games in hand.

Clement reported a good mood and little complacency among his Norwich players after their tremendous recovery. Taking 49 points from 16 wins since he took over makes them the second most in form side since 22nd of November.

Clement said: “It’s a crazy turnaround, what the squad has done, coming out of nine points out of 15. I’m really proud of where the players are, also with all the injuries.

“We know how much we can give to our fans. All the players, the staff want to give a lot back because the fans have given us a lot at home and at away games.”

Though the original target of making the playoffs seems unlikely given the eight point gap to Southampton in sixth, whose 1-0 victory is their only defeat in the past five games, their impressive home run in the derby still hangs in the balance.

Likely to be integral are versatile midfield pairing Kenny McLean and Pelle Mattson, the latter’s rocket into the top right corner setting in motion Norwich’s comeback to surprise Millwall 2-1 at the Den on Easter Monday.

England U21s right back Kellen Fisher, who was substituted early during the trip to the Den, has been in training and is in line to start, as is Northern Ireland international and defensive colleague Ruari McConville after he missed out entirely.

Ipswich being the team nearer the Championship summit has been a common theme for Norwich fans over the past three seasons, who would look back very fondly on their 1-0 victory last time out at Carrow Road.

But winning free kick was driven home courtesy of none other than Marcelino Núñez, who has since made the unthinkable switch from Norfolk to Suffolk and was involved in the build up to the winner at Portman Road.

Having made 107 appearances in his three years at their arch rivals, the Chilean playmaker can expect nothing less than a quite unsavoury welcome back to his old stomping grounds on Saturday.

The visitors have managed to take advantage of slip ups from the Lions and Middlesborough, rising from fourth to second in the Championship with two games in hand over the playoff pack.

Jack Clarke has been in great form and has contributed 14 goals this season, while Norwich will have their work cut out carving out scoring chances as his team’s record of 40 goals conceded is the best in the second tier so far.

Manager Kieran McKenna, serving his fifth year at the club, said that his side’s victory in the reverse fixture was his favourite game in the dugout and that his players will take his fourth East Anglian Derby game very seriously.

He said: “The last one was my favourite, I have to say, but they are always great occasions. The atmosphere is great and it’s two fanbases who are really passionate about their clubs.

“Last time we went there it was a really fierce atmosphere and we have made the players aware that it is going to be all of that and more.

“If you can get the results on these days they can be the best ones and we’re focussed on that opportunity.”

He confirmed in his pre-match press conference that Wes Burns will miss out through injury, with late assessments due for Azor Matusiwa and Iván Azón.

But the Irishman will be boosted by the return of marauding left-back Leif Davis, who returns from a three game suspension after he admitted to unseen violent conduct caught on video in the 27th minute of the game against Leicester last month.

The East Anglian Derby kicks off at 12:30 (GMT) on Saturday, with live coverage on Sky Sports Main Event.