There’s nothing to beat derby day as Ipswich and Norwich go head-to-head on Sunday. Mike Bacon previews the game.

The fans’ day

Managers and players can dress derby day up as much as they want, stress that the game is important but ‘just another three points’.

It’s not just another three points. Not in a million years. In fairness few would dare to utter it. Mick McCarthy has managed and played in enough derbies to know that and while no-one underestimates new City boss Daniel Farke, the German hasn’t experienced an East Anglian derby before.

With Farke at the helm, a new football structure and a new set of players who have little or no experience of this neighbourly squabble, could this play into Town’s hands? Of the Norwich starting line-up who took the field against Hull City last weekend only Ivo Pinto, Timm Klose and Cameron Jerome had previous with the Blues.

Contrast that with the Ipswich XI who lost 1-0 at Sheffield United, a team which contained seven players on derby duty last season.

For the fans on both sides, all they want is the win. For one day only (well, two if you count the return at Carrow Road later in the season), the football can be as rubbish as you like – so long as your team gets the three points.

- Chambers: Blues must ‘stand-up and be counted’

Upper hand

It’s been eight long years since Ipswich Town won a derby fixture against Norwich City.

While the history books show the Blues have been far more successful than their country cousins up the A140, recent history is, sadly for Blues fans, Norwich’s to own. Last season, both games ended 1-1, which was an improvement for the Blues over previous recent encounters and Ipswich are stronger this season than last, heading into the first derby of the season.

- Town legend Marcus: Town players must put themselves in shoes of fans

Joe Garner

Ipswich certainly missed Joe Garner at Sheffield United last weekend.

The fiery striker has given the Blues an aggressive edge going forward this season and is just what Town lacked last campaign after the loss of Daryl Murphy.

Will Garner be fit? There are hopes he may well be which, is so, would be a big boost to McCarthy’s men. He is just the sort of player who could make himself a hero.

- Knudsen: I’ll be playing for the fans