George Hirst is up and on his feet and back in the action. Good news for the home fans but he's moving very gingerly indeed.

Image source, Rex Features

Ipswich frontman George Hirst down in midfield after a nasty-looking slip as he stretched.

He has six goals and six assists since he made his loan from Leicester permanent in the summer. How he would love to influence the game tonight.

He's getting some concerted treatment as subs are sent to warm-up.

Wes Burns whips a deep cross to the far post where Ipswich full-back(!) Leif Davis has ghosted in, but City's Abdul Fatawu had tracked his run superbly and did just enough to put him off and send his header wide of the target.

The Foxes are gradually taking a foothold in the game, after that bright start from Town, winning the ball back quickly and getting it into feet.

You suspect this game might set a record for the least wasted possession.

Image source, Rex Features

Leicester boss Enzo Maresca looks cold - hopefully his side can provide some warmth in this top-of-the-table meeting.

If his side could extend their advantage in the automatic promotion places to 13 points with a win tonight that might just do the trick.

Image source, PA Media

Another half-chance for Leicester, and for Wilfred Ndidi. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall swings in a cross from the left but Ndidi times his leap poorly and can only head over the bar harmlessly with Vaclav Hladky unflustered.

Wilfred Ndidi has the first sight of goal for the visitors but produces a wild air-shot just inside the area when the ball is pulled back to him from the right and Stephy Maididi is unable to take advantage at the far post.

Leicester in their unfamiliar tangerine change strip tonight, by the way.

Image source, Rex Features

Image source, PA Media

Ipswich are not used to losing games under Kieran McKenna. Can his three changes mastermind a return to winning ways tonight?

Left-footer Leif Davis whips in a near-post corner for Ipswich which Wes Burns tries to flick on but only into a defender's shins.

Davis repeats the trick with a second corner kick into the exact same area, but Wales wideman Burns gets too much on his near-post header and it flies the wrong side of the upright from his perspective.

Bright start from the hosts, who are seeking to bounce back from their humbling at Leeds on Saturday.

Early signs of Ipswich seeking to get the ball out to the flanks, where Leif Davis and Wes Burns are waiting with intent.

Real buzz around Portman Road for this one.... and I thought everyone had run out of energy by this point on Boxing Day.

Wes Burns whips a low cross across the Leicester box but former Fox George Hirst can't get anywhere close to it.

We've all got room for one last cracker this Christmas, right?

We're under way under the lights at a packed Portman Road.

Had enough interaction with the family this Christmas but still want to chat about the big game of the day in the EFL?

Why not join in the conversation with our community by posting your thoughts on X, the social media platform formerly known as twitter, and using the hashtag #bbcefl

We'll publish the best ones right here!

Image source, Getty Images

Look away Foxes fans, only Newcastle and Burnley have a more wretched record on 26 December down the years.

Leicester have lost 42 Boxing Day games, with Newcastle losing for the 47th time against Nottingham Forest earlier and Burnley going down to a 45th defeat at the hands of Liverpool this evening.

The Foxes have lost seven of their last nine league games on this date, though their only win did come at home to Man City in 2018.

Things get significantly better when you look at City’s record outside of the top flight, however, they are unbeaten in nine games, taking 17 points.

Ipswich are no mugs either, picking up 18 points from their last 10 Boxing Day encounters and seeing off Oxford 3-0 in League One last Christmas.

What a difference a year makes, eh?

Aaron Paul
BBC Radio 5 Live commentator

All roads lead to Portman Road tonight, the meatiest of Boxing Day matches under the lights here in Suffolk… and redemption needed for Ipswich in front of the home faithful tonight, Saturday's defeat - a 4-0 reverse at Leeds - was Ipswich’s worst under Kieran McKenna.

A win will see Leicester go nine points clear at the top of the Championship tonight - Patson Daka retains his place in attack and is looking to make it five goals in five games.

All the stats suggest this is the best of the best.

With kick-off looming in the game of the day, and perhaps season so far, time to see how the teams will line-up.

Kieran McKenna has made three changes from the Ipswich side thumped 4-0 at Leeds on Saturday - coincidentally Leeds are the only side to have won at Portman Road too, 4-3 in August.

Axel Tuanzebe, Massimo Luongo and Nathan Broadhead drop to the bench with Luke Woolfenden, Jack Taylor and Marcus Harness coming in.

There's one change from Leicester boss Enzo Maresca from their 3-0 win over Rotherham with Conor Coady coming in for James Justin, who drops to the bench.

On-loan Man City defender Callum Doyle is also on that bench for the first time since September after knee surgery. The 20-year-old was an ever-present until picking up the injury.

Still no Jamie Vardy. who has been out with a knee problem. but Kelechi Iheanacho and Yunus Akgun are among the substitutes.

Image source, .

Image source, .

Image source, Getty Images

After their last encounter in February 2014, Ipswich, for their part, trod water in the Championship for years before being relegated to League One under Paul Lambert in 2019 – ending a 63-year stint in the top two tiers.

When Kieran McKenna was appointed in December 2021 Town’s resurrection began and after a season of consolidation they blazed their way to promotion last season, scoring 101 league goals and claiming 98 points.

Parallels have been drawn between the ascent of Ipswich and that of Leicester a decade ago and tonight they meet as near-equals, separated by one place at the top of the table after producing the best start to a season by a promoted side on record.

Image source, Rex Features

It’s been almost 10 years since Ipswich and Leicester last met and oh boy, how the two clubs’ fortunes contrasted after that meeting in February 2014.

Let's take a little stroll down memory lane, shall we?

The Foxes were promoted to the Premier League three months after that home win against the Tractor Boys, ending a 10-year hiatus from the top flight, and then stunned the world two years later, winning the title and making the Champions League quarter-finals the following season.

They were relegated last season but seem intent on an immediate return, with Enzo Maresca at the helm and a host of top-level players still on their books.

Image source, Getty Images

The team with the best points per home game return this season hosts the team with the most points per away game.

The top home scorers welcome the top away scorers.

Aren't we lucky?

Ipswich have won nine of their 11 home games in the Championship, scoring at least twice in every match.

Leicester have won nine of their 11 away games in the Championship and 15 of their last 18 in total, the last five of those in a row.

These two have proven themselves to be the best sides outside the Premier League in the first half of this season. Which of them will begin the promotion run-in the stronger?

Thanks, Harry, and good evening all.

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