Image source, Getty Images

Norwich manager Alex Neil says he wants his side to take the game to Ipswich right from the off.

"The early kick-off doesn't concern us. We played at lunch-time last week and won," he told BBC Radio Norfolk.

"We're in good form, and everything we've done up to this point suggests we're strong contenders in the tie.

"I'm excited. I like competing, whoever I'm up against, and we always play to win, whatever's at stake.

"It will be a tense atmosphere, it will be really vocal, it will be strong, it will be physical, and we've got to start on the front foot and try to implement our game on them."

Image source, Getty Images

Ipswich Town boss Mick McCarthy has said he does not believe it is vital for the Tractor Boys to take an advantage to Carrow Road.

The two teams will have to wait another week until the second-leg on Saturday, 16 May

"The fixture won't be over until the final whistle goes at Carrow Road," McCarthy told BBC Radio Suffolk.

"The fans trust and believe in the team, and so do I. I just want two good performances, and whatever will happen, will happen.

"Everything's fine, everybody's very relaxed. I think the club and fans have a team they can be proud of, off and on the pitch, and whatever happens over the next two or three games, my pride in them won't be diminished.

Ben Howell:, external Norwich to take one goal lead back to Carrow Road and finish the job there #prideofanglia #bestteamwillgothrough

What do you think Ipswich fans? Is Ben right?

This is not the first time that local rivals have met in the Championship play-off semi-finals.

In 2007, West Brom enjoyed a 4-2 aggregate win over their black country rivals Wolves, but went on to lose to Derby in the final.

More recently, the play-off semi-finals brought us the so-called 'M23 derby', with Crystal Palace beating Brighton over two legs on their way to promotion.

Going back a bit further in time, Sunderland fans will have fond memories of beating Newcastle 2-0 on aggregate in 1990.

Image source, Empics

It has already been a dramatic day in the Championship, with Lee Clark resigning as Blackpool manager.

Clark, 42, won three of his 33 games in charge since arriving at Bloomfield Road on 30 October.

The Seasiders' relegation to League One was confirmed on 6 April and their last game of the season was abandoned following a pitch invasion by disgruntled fans.

BBC Sport

Three games down, 12 games to go in this season's Football League play-offs.

BBC Sport will be providing a live text commentary of every single play-off game - whether it's in the Championship, League One or League Two - including all three finals at Wembley on 23-25 May.

Phil Shepka
BBC Sport at Portman Road

"It's a glorious Suffolk day for what Norwich manager Alex Neil has billed as one of the biggest East Anglian derbies in history.

"Neil's Canaries were hoping to avoid the proverbial lottery of the play-offs by going up automatically, but missed out despite 15 wins from 22 since the Scot took charge at Carrow Road.

"The Norfolk side have had the upper hand in recent meetings of the two, winning all of the last four, with an aggregate score of 12-2.

"But Ipswich and Mick McCarthy will be delighted to be in the play-offs for the first time in 10 seasons, despite working on a shoestring.

"Town don't have the greatest play-off record, losing in the semi-finals in six of their seven attempts, but as we are all too aware, literally anything can happen at crunch time."

Who are you backing today, then? Which of these sides will hold the advantage before the second leg next Saturday?

We want to hear your views.

Get in touch via the BBC Sport Facebook page or by using #bbcfootball on Twitter.

Ipswich: Bialkowski, Mings, Chambers (c), Smith, Berra, Skuse, Murphy, Varney, Bru, Sears, Bishop.

Subs: Gerken, Parr, Anderson, S.Hunt, Tabb, N. Hunt, McGoldrick.

Norwich: Ruddy, Whittaker, Martin (c), Bassong, Olsson, Tettey, Howson, Dorrans, Redmond, Johnson; Jerome.

Subs: Rudd, Hooper, Hoolahan, E Bennett, R Bennett, O'Neil, Odjidja-Ofoe.

Ipswich Town have made two changes to the side which lost 3-2 at Blackburn on the final day.

Kevin Bru and Luke Varney replace Jonathan Parr and Jay Tabb

Norwich have made four changes. Steven Whittaker, Alexander Tettey, Graham Dorrans and Cameron Jerome come in for Gary Hooper, Wes Hoolahan, Elliott Bennett and Gary O'Neill.

Image source, Empics

Losing to your fiercest local rivals can be painful enough for football fans. It's a feeling that many of us dread.

But just imagine that pain coupled with the knowledge that your dream of promotion is over for at least another year...and then having to watch your rivals enjoying a day out at Wembley.

Well, that's the scenario both Ipswich and Norwich are desperate to avoid, with a place in the 2015 Championship play-off final just 180 minutes away.

Can either side grab a foothold in this tie? We shall see...