Borja Sainz gets bumped off the ball by Ipswich's Wes Burns.

A nice physical early welcome to the derby, that!

Portman Road roars with anticipation as referee Josh Smith signals the start of the 108th East Anglian derby.

BBC local radio

You can stay in touch with all the developments at Portman Road today by staying with us right here.

And while online restrictions means we can't bring you the excellent radio coverage from BBC Radio Suffolk or BBC Radio Norfolk, it doesn't mean you can listen in.

If you are in the local radio frequency area of either one of those stations, then tune in and get your ears on the action.

The atmosphere is pumping at a packed Portman Road.

Kick-off is just minutes away now...

Image source, Chris Goreham/BBC

'Tis the season for giving, and one Norwich business owner is getting right in the mood today.

Staff on a football merchandise stall are giving a day's profits to a foodbank in their rival town, as an act of "something positive".

The Norwich City football club On The Stall City stand is making the gesture, while Ipswich Town fans will also have the opportunity to give to Norwich foodbanks, as part of the initiative.

Stall manager Andy Bowles said: "If something positive can come out of the day.. that would be a great thing."

You can read the full story here.

Ashley Barnes, a summer arrival at Norwich, is new to this derby game but he has embraced it.

The Canaries run of four wins in six games has the Canaries feeling upbeat about things.

"We keep believing," he told BBC Radio Norfolk

"It's fantastic for them (Ipswich) to be where they are but we've got to concentrate on ourselves. We've got to play our game and we will do so."

At 34, Barnes has seen a lot in his career and believes derby matches are occasions that players thrive on.

"These are moments when you want to be the hero," he said.

Image source, Rex Features

Former Ipswich striker Darren Bent, who played for the club from 2001 to 2005, has been talking about the derby this week and putting the Tractor Boys' high-flying form into context.

"The contrasts in the two teams are quite scary, but when you look at derby fixtures in general, it sometimes isn't the best team that wins, it's the team that handles the occasion better," he said.

"But when you look at what Kieran McKenna is doing at Ipswich Town, I don't think they could go into this game in any better form or (with) any better manager right now, so it should be a really interesting watch.

"I thought he was good last season in League One, but what they've done in the Championship this year is frightening.

"When you look at Ipswich having 50 points by Christmas, that is just extraordinary, especially in what some call one of the hardest leagues in European football - it's relentless."

You can read more about the return of the derby in this feature from Paul Grunill by clicking here.

Ipswich make four changes from the side that beat Watford mid-week to temporarily put them top of the table.

In come Nathan Broadhead, Wes Burns, Luke Woolfenden and Harry Clarke, while Williams, Axel Tuanzebe, Omari Hutchinson and Marcus Harness all drop to the bench.

Ipswich Town: Hladky, Clarke, Woolfenden, Burgess, Davis, Morsy, Luongo, Burns, Chaplin, Broadhead, Hirst.

Substitutes: Walton, Williams, Tuanzebe, Taylor, Harness, Hutchinson, Jackson, Scarlett, Ladapo.

There are just the two changes for Norwich after their 3-1 win over struggling Sheffield Wednesday, with Jack Stacey and Sam McCallum coming in to the starting XI.

Norwich City: Gunn, Stacey, Duffy, McClean, McCallum, Sara, Nunez, Rowe, Sainz, Barnes, Idah.

Substitutes: Long, Fisher, Placheta, Forshaw, Batth, Hernandez, Springett, Fassnacht, Gibbs.

As already mentioned, it's been almost five years since these two last met.

Much has changed. Clubs have popped up and down divisions a few times, managers have come and gone, as have players.

In fact, in the major turnover of players, only Onel Hernandez, Kenny McLean and Grant Hanley remain at Norwich, while Kayden Jackson was in the Ipswich squad that day in February 2019 when they last played.

Image source, Rex Features

Ahead of the 108th East Anglian derby, there a few ways to set the scene for today.

Firstly, one look at the table and form says hosts Ipswich Town are absolutely flying and can soar back to the summit with victory against a Norwich side that enjoying a run of good form.

Then there is what the history books say, which is that Ipswich Town are winless in 10 league games against the Canaries, dating back to April 2009.

Today's lunch time kick-off has us tucking into a derby game, but that is simply a delectable appetizer.

There will still be nine matches to come after that.

Today's games kicking off at 15:00 GMT:

• Bristol City v Sunderland
• Hull City v Cardiff City
• Leeds United v Coventry City
• Millwall v Huddersfield Town
• Plymouth Argyle v Rotherham United
• Preston North End v Watford
• Sheffield Wednesday v Queens Park Rangers
• Southampton v Blackburn Rovers
• Swansea City v Middlesbrough

Image source, Rex Features

It has been five long years between meetings, but today the Old Farm Derby is back!

Yeah, I know it is a jokey sort of nickname for the East Anglian Derby, but you just can’t knock a good thing at midday on a festive feeling Saturday.

Ipswich Town's hugely anticipated showdown with Norwich will be the focus first up, but we do have a stacked schedule to come after that.

So pull up your wellies* and stay with us for the next few hours of Championship football.

* Sorry, not sorry for lame farm-type joke.

Image source, Getty Images

The closest of neighbours and fiercest of foes.

Image source, Getty Images

Reunited.

Image source, Getty Images