Former Norwich striker Grant Holt:, external Telly ready, cup of tea in hand, now time to watch the match. Fingers crossed for @NorwichCityFC today.

Image source, Getty Images/BBC

Both sides are somewhere near red hot right now, but Norwich are slightly redder and slighty hotter.

The Canaries have won five on the bounce, and seven of their last nine. Town have three victories from four games.

Former Norwich defender Danny Mills
Football Focus

"It was a strange appointment when Alex Neil came in as manager at Norwich. It came very much out of left-field.

"He's got the players playing. Cameron Jerome has got 17 goals this season, but Lewis Grabban and Gary Hooper have backed that up.

"They've got three players scoring regularly. The game is all about momentum. Whoever wins that has the chance to kick on, cement their place in the play-offs and maybe chase automatic promotion."

Here's how the table looks after Saturday's action...

Only two of the top eight sides in the Championship won on Saturday, meaning the winners of today's East Anglian derby are guaranteed to rise to at least third.

It's also worth noting that seventh-placed Brentford and eighth-placed Wolves are just one and two points from a play-off spot respectively, so today's losers will be anxiously looking behind them at the chasing pack.

In the words of Big Mick, "it's bonkers".

Former Norwich striker and BBC Radio Norfolk summariser Iwan Roberts: "You can't be over-reliant on one person. Norwich have four players with more than 10 goals or near to it. I can't remember that in my time of being involved with Norwich.

"Ipswich have probably relied a little bit on Daryl Murphy. It's great if other people, especially from midfield, can chip in with some goals.

"You won't win the league if you win today, but it will be a huge blow to momentum if you lose the game."

Norwich City boss Alex Neil, like his counterpart Mick McCarthy, has also played for Barnsley.

But he hasn't featured in any of Big Mick's other illustrious derbies.

"As someone who grew up in Scotland, the Glasgow derby has always stood out for me. I know exactly what derbies are all about," he told BBC Radio Norfolk.

"We know what it means to the fans - it's their biggest game of the season. What's at stake in terms of the league makes it even better."

Read more views of players, ex-pros and fans right here.

Image source, Getty Images

Derby day schmerby day? Ipswich boss Mick McCarthy reckons local rivalry plays little part in the commitment of players.

"I'd like to do a survey and see how many players are from Norwich and Ipswich in these two teams and find out if they understand the passion of the East Anglian derby," he told BBC Radio Suffolk.

"It's more about passion for playing football I think. It never bothered me if I was playing in Barnsley v Sheffield Wednesday, Celtic v Rangers, Man City v Man United or anything.

"There's always a bit more because the fans insist on it, but my team give it every week."

Ipswich midfielder Teddy Bishop:, external Gutted to be missing the game today but I've got faith in the boys. COYB !!!!!

Highly-rated teenager Bishop misses today's derby game because of injury.

Image source, Getty Images/BBC

Norwich, be warned. Daryl Murphy is having the time of his life. He had never scored more than 13 in a campaign until this season.

Image source, Getty Images

When Alex Neil replaced Neil Adams as Norwich City boss in January, it proved pretty convenient for supporters.

A lot of the songs didn't have to change - "Neil, give us a wave" and "Let's all wave at Neil" are just two examples.

But there were quite a few people doing a bit of Googling of the Scot to find out who he was - and in fact the first result you would have got was for a London-based estate agent.

With seven wins from his first nine games, the former Hamilton manager has won over sceptics quickly - but take a look back at this article on the 33-year-old's managerial philosophy.

Image source, Other

Ipswich edge the overall head-to-head, but recent history is not on their side, Town have not beaten Norwich in their last three meetings - and they have not won at Carrow Road since February 2006.

Former Norwich forward Darren Huckerby:, external So the most important #EastAnglianDerby in years is here, today the only thing that matters is the win! #Ncfc

Ex-Norwich striker Dean Ashton:, external Just the small matter of "The Old Farm Derby" today! 2-0 to @NorwichCityFC I'm going!

Former Ipswich full-back Fabian Wilnis:, external Big East Anglian derby this afternoon. Good luck Ipswich. A draw wouldn't be bad, but with a win I would be absolutely over the moon.

Image source, Getty Images

Richard Chaplow will make his first Ipswich Town start, as one of two changes from the midweek win over Birmingham.

But new signing Chris Wood, on loan from Leicester, has to make to with a spot on the bench.

On-loan Millwall midfielder Chaplow joins Jay Tabb in the side, with wide men Paul Anderson and Jonny Parr dropping out.

Ipswich Town starting XI: Bialkowski, Chambers (c), Mings, Berra, Smith, Bru, Skuse, Tabb, Chaplow, Sears, Murphy.

Substitutes: Gerken, Parr, Clarke, Anderson, Benyu, Varney, Wood.

Image source, Getty Images

Let's get straight in with some team news. Just the one change to the Norwich City side that came from behind to beat Blackburn on Tuesday.

Alex Tettey comes into midfield to replace Graham Dorrans. Lewis Grabban, with four goals in as many games, starts up front.

Norwich City starting XI: Ruddy, Whittaker, Martin (c), Bassong, Olsson, Tettey, Johnson, Redmond, Howson, Hoolahan, Grabban.

Substitutes: Rudd, Turner, Jerome, Hooper, Andreu, Garrido, Dorrans.

So, how's this one going to go? Feeling confident Norwich fans? Will Big Mick bring Ipswich derby day delight?

Give us your thoughts on Twitter using #bbceaderby and we'll use the best ones right here.

Let's put the intense rivalry between these two teams, separated by 45 miles, to one side for the moment.

There is the small matter of two sides trying to claw their way into the Premier League.

Results yesterday were pretty good to both clubs and a win, should we get one, would put either of them third in the table, and just a point off the automatic promotion spots (Ipswich could actually go second if they win 6-0).

The last time this fixture had this much riding on it was in March 2004, a game which Norwich won 3-1.

Image source, Getty Images

Time to brush off that big book of footballing cliches folks.

Who wants it the most? Form goes out the window. It means so much to the fans.

It's derby day in East Anglia and we'll be bringing you every 50-50 challenge, every thunderous tackle and every bragging-rights-inducing goal.