Image source, Rex Features

It's been a fantastic 2023 so far for Ipswich, who won promotion last season, but this has been a chastening afternoon for the second-placed side.

As good as they've had it you do have to spare a thought for the travelling fans today as there's over 200 miles between Leeds and Ipswich.

There's been that kind of gulf between the two teams on the pitch today as well.

Alex Mathie
Ex-Ipswich Town striker on BBC Radio Suffolk

It's not been Ipswich's day today.

Joe Rodon has been outstanding at the back [for Leeds]. He looks like a Premier League defender.

The away side make a QUADRUPLE change.

The home fans bring out the ironic cheers and boos for all of them.

Dominic Ball, Marcus Harness, Omari Hutchinson and Kayden Jackson are all on.

Nathan Broadhead fouls Archie Gray and the Ipswich forward is booked.

As I just said, the away side are PRETTY frustrated by how this has played out.

Taylor, Leicester fan: If Leeds and Leicester can win today, Leicester can beat Ipswich and Leeds can lose to Preston, I'll throw a party.

John, just off to the King Power: All season I've been expecting the Ipswich bubble to burst. Lose on Boxing Day and it could have. Summerville has always looked Leeds' best player when he's been at the KP. Expecting Leicester and Leeds to finish top two and Ipswich to lose to Sunderland in the play-offs.

Slacky, Portsmouth: WOW, Leeds on fire, we’re going to enjoy this as our first Christmas present.

Kyle: Leeds have been outstanding - massive win this will be. Huge for goal difference and seven points doesn't seem that big a lead. Especially with a tough run of games coming up for Ipswich. With playing Leicester twice in quick succession too.

All round to Taylor's for new year, by the sounds of it...

Ipswich are at the "kick someone just to make me feel better stage".

Sam Morsy is lucky to escape a yellow for a foul on Crysencio Summerville just past the halfway line.

Leeds are cruising.

Dan James is given a rest for the final 30 minutes and Italy international Willy Gnonto is on.

Ipswich just want to go home now.

Image source, PA Media

Ipswich defender Axel Tuanzebe is booked for a foul on Dan James on the edge of the area.

Aidy White
Former Leeds United full-back

Ipswich can't get out their half, they have resorted to just getting the ball out.

Fact fans, Leeds' biggest ever win in this fixture is 4-0.

They've got over 30 minutes to improve that.

Image source, Getty Images

There's no other way to put this, Ipswich are getting battered just now.

Leeds look to make it five and only some desperate defending stops them from doing so.

Again, Town will end the day seven points clear of third place regardless but they're not going to have long to get this out of the system before Boxing Day.

When they play league leaders Leicester.

Aidy White
Former Leeds United full-back on BBC Radio Leeds

Tremendous, tremendous goal.

The patient defending that caused that. They waited for a sloppy pass, go on the counter and then he's toe-poked it in!

He sold the defender and put it in to the back of the net, fair play to the lad.

That noise is tremendous, you can't beat that in football. The way they are singing is special.

Aidy White
Former Leeds United full-back on BBC Radio Leeds

Wow.

Lovely little stepover there, he shifts it, and then it would have been a lovely finish.

That would have improved his stats - he is a bit of an underestimated player.

So close to 4-0!

Joel Piroe smashes a shot against the underside of the crossbar from a tight angle.

What a hit!

Tom, Winchester: No one talking about Southampton for top two. Just the way we like it.

Ed, London: Any other season Leeds would be in the automatic spots. Leicester and Ipswich have been remarkably consistent this season. They've dropped points in 11/45 games played so far: Leeds are responsible for almost 30% of the points the top two have dropped. It would be astonishing if both Leicester and Ipswich sustained their consistency for the whole season, and incredibly frustrating for an excellent Leeds side to have to gamble through the play-offs.

Anon: Re:Dean at 13:23. Summerville might be brilliant, but he was really poor at the SoL the other week. Sunderland kept him quiet.

Keep your contributions coming everyone.

Ipswich play leaders Leicester on Boxing Day. How big does that become if this stays as it is? A 10-point lead over third could be cut to four points come 27 December.

No changes from either side.

We're back under way.

Right.

Ok, let's... Let's have some reasons for Ipswich optimism shall we?

Well, the other game between these sides this season ended 4-3 to the away side so... it could happen again?

And Leeds haven't done the double over Town in over 20 years?

Kieran McKenna's side are the league's top scorers this season too.

Look, it's unlikely but it's not impossible.

Steve, Powys: Farke moaned about Coventry's formation last week, as if defending isn't a part of football and we should've rolled over and let them win. Guessing he'll be more pleased this week.

Dan: To showcase how good both Ipswich and Leicester's seasons have been so far: If Leeds win today and beat Leicester in Feb, Leeds will do the double over the top two and still be outside the automatic spots! Shows what high standards these two have set.

Image source, Rex Features

Dean Plumley: Cry Summerville is the Championship player of the season, no question, he is a cheat code for Leeds, what a player.

Martin: Clear message from Leeds that the club will power towards second auto promotion spot. Ipswich will be scrambling around for top six come April.

Karl, in Rotterdam, Leeds fan: Re Derek at 13:06. Wheels off, they're in second and seven points ahead of Leeds if the game stays as it is.

Karl the voice of reason here.