Good morning! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for today's East Anglian derby between Ipswich Town and Norwich City at Portman Road. These encounters are always highly-charged, feisty affairs and, with this being the first meeting for three years, we are expecting no different this time around. It should be an entertaining clash between two bitter rivals who both have promotion aspirations this season. Let's start with a look at the two lineups...

IPSWICH STARTING XI: Gerken; Chambers, Smith, Berra, Mings; Anderson, Skuse, Hyam, Tabb; McGoldrick, Murphy

IPSWICH SUBS: Bialkowski, Parr, Hewitt, Henshall, Bru, Bajner, Sammon

NORWICH STARTING XI: Ruddy; Martin, R Bennett, Turner, Whittaker; Tettey, Johnson; Lafferty, Hoolahan, Redmond; Grabban

NORWICH SUBS: Rudd, Cuellar, Jerome, E Bennett, Garrido, Josh Murphy, O'Neil

So, what can we make of those two sides? Well, the hosts make one change to the side that drew with Birmingham on Tuesday, and it is on that they were expected to make. David McGoldrick replaces Sammon in the side having started the midweek match on the bench. The striker is still nursing his way back to full fitness following a lengthy injury in the second half of last season, but he has already been amongst the goals since returning this time around and he will be a key player for his side this afternoon.

Norwich also make a solitary change, with Ryan Bennett coming in for Javier Garrido, who picked up a hamstring strain during Tuesday's win over Blackburn. There are notable additions on the bench for the Canaries, however, with new signings Carlos Cuellar and Cameron Jerome both named amongst the subs. They could be given their debut in the derby this afternoon, which would certainly be a baptism of fire.

Both sides obviously look forward to these derby matches, but of the two you'd have to think that Ipswich are more excited about this match. Having relished in the Canaries being relegated from the Premier League last season, the Tractor Boys now finally get the chance to avenge the humiliation they suffered at the hands of their bitter rivals the last time they met. Norwich won 5-1 at Portman Road back in 2010-11, making it 9-2 on aggregate for the season having also emerged 4-1 winners at Carrow Road.

Ipswich have improved since those days, however, and come into this season with realistic ambitions of a playoff push. They have made a steady, if not spectacular start, with four points from their first three games. Their opening match saw them pull off an impressive victory over Fulham, but since then they have lost to Crawley in the cup, to Reading in the league and rescued a late, late draw against Birmingham in midweek. They are now three games without a win in all competitions, but Mick McCarthy will be fairly content with the way things have gone so far.

Of course, defeat to Norwich would change the whole complexion of that start to the season, while victory would set the Tractor Boys up nicely with seven points from four games. They do have home advantage this afternoon, which could be a key factor. Their solitary home game so far this season yielded that victory over Fulham, while last term they boasted the sixth best home record in the Championship.

The return of McGoldrick will be a huge boost for the Tractor Boys, not just today but for the whole season if he can stay fit. There is an argument to be made that Ipswich may have crept into the playoffs had the striker been available for the whole of last season, but his presence alongside Murphy up front could be crucial for their chances of another top-six push this time around. Ipswich's top scorer so far this season is an unlikely one, though, with Christophe Berra netting twice against Birmingham, including a 94th-minute equaliser.

Norwich began the season with many tipping them for automatic promotion back into the Premier League, and they have made a decent start towards achieving that goal. An opening-weekend loss to newly-promoted Wolves was a major disappointment for the Canaries, but they were reduced to 10 men in that match and Neil Adams won't have been too disheartened. Since then, they have been on the other side of a red card decision, beating 10-man Watford 3-0 having had the numerical advantage for 88 of the 90 minutes, and have overcome a goal in the first minute to beat Blackburn 3-1.

That victory over Watford was actually Neil Adams's first in charge of the club since taking over from Chris Hughton towards the tail end of last season. Quite a few more are expected over the coming months as Norwich look for a top-two finish, and once they have the likes of Hooper back from injury they should certainly have the firepower to hurt teams in this division. They lost Leroy Fer to QPR this week but have also brought in Cuellar and Jerome, who are both on the bench today.

This is the Canaries first away match since that defeat to Wolves, and it is their form on the road that could prove crucial to how successful they are this season. They are expected to be formidable at home, but last season they had the worst away record in the Premier League, and they will certainly need to travel better than that if they are to bounce straight back into the top flight this time around.

The Canaries have won three of the last four meetings between these two sides, including that emphatic double in the 2010-11 campaign. Their only loss in this fixture since 2008 came more than five years ago as the Tractor Boys triumphed 3-2 here at Portman Road. This has been a decent hunting ground for Norwich in recent years, winning a respectable three of their last six trips up the A140.

PREDICTION: We're nearing kickoff at Portman Road, which means that it is time I made a prediction. This is a tough one to call, as derbys always seem to be. Ipswich, on their day, can trouble any side in the league, and having home advantage could prove to be a big help despite Norwich only making a short 40-mile trip. The Canaries probably have the superior quality throughout their squad, but this should be a close game, and I'll go for a 2-2 draw.

Incidentally, that is the same prediction as our Championship correspondent Pascal Lemesre made for the game on the Sports Mole Sofa. You can check out what he had to say here:

Experience can prove to be crucial in these types of matches, but Ipswich only have Tommy Smith who has played in an East Anglian derby before. Norwich, meanwhile, have three players in their starting XI who also started that 5-1 win last time they were here.

KICKOFF: Here we go then! Ipswich get us underway in the 139th East Anglian derby amid a raucous atmosphere at Carrow Road. Who will get the bragging rights today?

Ipswich are likely to be a threat from set pieces today, and Lafferty gifts them an early chance to whip the ball into the box with a silly foul in a dangerous crossing position. The hosts do win the header, but they can't turn it goalwards as Norwich get away with a free kick.

A slight worry for Norwich here as Bennett goes down early on clutching his ankle. The full-back came into the side today in place of Garrido, who tweaked his hamstring against Blackburn. With Olsson still suspended, this could be a real problem for Neil Adams if Bennett is unable to continue.

Indeed, things are not looking good for Bennett. He twisted his ankle quite badly in a challenge and the stretcher is now on. It doesn't look like he will be able to continue, which could mean an early introduction for new signing Carlos Cuellar or the introduction of Garrido.

NORWICH SUB: It is Garrido who comes on, and he will have almost a full game to play having initially been left out due to concerns over his hamstring. It will be interesting to see how that holds up now. Not an ideal start for the Canaries.

It is Norwich who have responded better after that lengthy stoppage. The Canaries are enjoying a good amount of possession at the moment, and Ipswich are being forced into a few hurried clearances at the back.

Really good break from Ipswich as McGoldrick races onto a pass down the left before hanging a cross towards the back post. The ball is nodded back into the middle for Tabb, who in turn nods it down to Murphy, but the ball doesn't sit up right for the striker, who puts it well off target.

Good spell now from Ipswich as they get a foot on the ball and knock it about calmly. Neither side has yet carved out a real chance, but the game has been played at a decent pace so far.

Ipswich win the ball back in a good position and have a chance to break down the right but, having skipped past one man, Murphy takes a very heavy touch and the ball runs out for a goal kick. That was a waste of a dangerous position for the hosts.

Dangerous play from the visitors as Redmond and Hoolahan link up just outside the box. The latter slides the ball in to Grabban inside the box, but the summer signing takes a heavy touch and loses possession.

Grabban kicks the ball away having been brought back for a throw-in, but the referee uses a bit of common sense and doesn't book the striker. I expect worse offences than that to happen over the next 73 minutes, and to pick up a caution for kicking the ball away like that would be harsh.

SAVE! Lafferty slips the ball down to Whittaker on the right side, but the full-back has no-one in support so goes for an ambitious effort. It is low and on target, but Gerken will save those all day long. A shot on target nonetheless!

The first signs of this match getting a bit feisty come as Johnson comes through the back of Hyam, who reacts angrily. Moments later, Johnson roughs the youngster up again, drawing a few shouts from the crowd. Johnson just trying to get under Hyam's skin there.

Good refereeing from Keith Stroud there as he calls both Johnson and Hyam over to have a word and calm things down. He will be keeping a close eye on that midfield battle, which has begun bubbling up.

SAVE! Good play from Redmond as he slides a square ball to Grabban, who finds himself in space around 25 yards from goal. He tries to drill an effort into the bottom corner but scuffs his shot a little, making it easy for Gerken to get down and make the stop.

First blood to Norwich! Grabban makes it four goals in four games for the club with a simple finish having been played onside by Berra. The Ipswich defender was involved in a wrestling match with Turner at a corner and was left on the floor as the ball came back in having initially been cleared. That played Grabban onside, and he simply flicked a header into the corner past Gerken, who was in no-man's land.

We expected Ipswich to cause Norwich problems from set pieces, but it is the other way round at the moment. Turner again shows good strength to win a header inside the box, although this time it is not enough to trouble the keeper.

YELLOW CARD! The first card of the derby is shown to Cole Skuse, who arrived late and collided with Lafferty. No complaints from the Ipswich man.

CLOSE! Almost a superbly worked goal from the hosts. They win a free kick around 35 yards from goal and work a training ground routine, with Skuse passing the ball low to McGoldrick, who had dropped into a position outside the box. He hit the ball first time, whipping a fine low effort just past the post. That is unlucky from the hosts.

Norwich come forward again through Redmond, who has looked bright so far. He cuts inside before drilling a low strike towards goal, but it hits his own man and deflects harmlessly out for a goal kick.

Nice football again from the visitors. Redmond is involved once more as he slides the ball in to Grabban, who cuts it back inside for Lafferty. The number nine tries to flick the ball goalwards as it arrives a little behind him, but he just can't get it right and it runs harmlessly through.

Again the ball arrives low into the box, and again Lafferty has found space. The chance comes on his weaker left foot, however, and he mis-kicks it as Ipswich survive. Norwich are very much on top at the moment.

Both teams deserve credit for how hard they have worked off the ball so far in this match. They are both pressing high up the pitch, giving the opposition defence very little time on the ball.

YELLOW CARD! Lafferty races forward from midfield and initially does well to keep hold of the ball, but he then scythes Tabb down having lost possession and is subsequently shown a yellow card.

McGoldrick wins the ball back from a Norwich defender in a good position before skipping past a couple of challenges on his way infield. He has Chambers in acres on space on his right but instead chooses to go for goal from all of 30 yards, slicing a wild effort well off target. Good play initially from the striker, but he should have given it to Chambers.

Another injury worry for Norwich here as Tettey goes down following a challenge from Mings. The Ipswich man got the ball, but also caught the ankle of the Norwich midfielder, twisting it badly. It is quite similar to the one that saw Bennett depart earlier, but Tettey is looking more likely to continue.

Tettey is back on and moving freely now, which is great news for Norwich. It looked like a nasty one at first but the midfielder appears to have got lucky and is now showing no ill effects.

A couple of Ipswich players are left completely free at a corner, but they can't get anything on the ball as it travels all the way through for Skuse. It bounces up awkwardly for the midfielder, and he can't do much more than flick it harmlessly over the top.

Norwich win a free kick in a very good crossing position, and once again Lafferty peels off his marker to get to the ball. Once again, though, he can't get good contact on his, glancing a header well wide.

Due to the injury to Bennett earlier in the match we will have no fewer than seven minutes added time at the end of this first half.

Hyam is gifted the ball in a fine position following a poor headed clearance from Garrido, but his pass to Murphy is overhit and runs through to the keeper. That was a fairly simple through-ball to make, so the youngster will be unhappy with that.

Ipswich have really struggled to trouble this Norwich defence so far today. McGoldrick has had some bright moment, including a shot that skimmed just past the post, but on the whole the Canaries have found it quite easy in this first half.

Half a chance for the hosts as the ball is partially cleared from a corner, dropping to Anderson on the edge of the box. The midfielder is being closed down quickly, but he will still be unhappy with his strike, which goes way over the top.

Another sight of goal for Ipswich as Berra nods a deep free kick into a dangerous area. McGoldrick has peeled off his man and looks to get on the end of it, but he couldn't connect with an ambitious attempted bicycle kick.

So far so good for Norwich then as they go into half time of the East Anglian derby with a 1-0 lead. It has been a hard-fought encounter between the two teams with genuine chances few and far between, but the Canaries have generally been on top and deserve their lead at the break. Ipswich may be happy that the scoreline isn't worse, but they will be confident that they can still salvage something from this match.

The goal came in the 24th minute, and it was quite a strange one as Lewis Grabban flicked a header home for his fourth in as many game. The striker initially looked to be offside, and the Ipswich defence seemed to think the same, but Berra had been left on a heap inside the area and was playing the striker on. As a result of the confusion, Gerken was left in no-man's land, and Grabban simply flicked his header past the keeper.

To add to the confusion, Grabban looked to be offside even considering Berra's position when the ball was played back into the box. However, it was a very tough one for the linesman to see on first glance. As it happened, the goal stood and Grabban is now the top scorer in the Championship this season.

The pick of the chances have all gone to Norwich, although they have not been able to make the most of them. Lafferty in particular has found himself in a good position inside the box on three separate occasions without ever getting a good connection on the ball and testing Gerken. Redmond has also looked dangerous at times without really working the Ipswich keeper.

Ipswich have struggled to create much in the final third themselves, but David McGoldrick has looked dangerous at times. He came closest for the hosts, whipping a first-time shot narrowly past the post after a well-worked free kick. Ruddy probably wouldn't have got to it had it been on target but, other than that, the Norwich keeper has had a comfortable afternoon so far.

Something does need to change for the hosts in this second half, though. As long as it stays 1-0 they are still very much in this match, but McCarthy will want more of an attacking presence from his side in the next 45 minutes.

KICKOFF: Norwich get us back underway for the second half as they look to hold on to their slender advantage over their bitter rivals. Can they do it, or will Ipswich fight back?

CHANCE! Good opening for the hosts as McGoldrick drills a low ball into the box. Murphy picks it up in space but, with Anderson also in the vicinity, they leave it for each other and the chance passes by. Someone needed to take control there, and it probably should have been Anderson.

Tettey twisted his ankle quite badly in the first half, and he appears to have tweaked it again here following a challenge on Tabb. He is moving quite gingerly at the moment, but once again should be able to continue.

CHANCE! What a chance for Ipswich! Some nice build-up play ends with Tabb hanging the ball up towards the back post for Murphy to attack. The Ipswich striker easily wins it and the fans are just waiting for the net to bulge, but the ball drifts narrowly wide. He really should have scored there, it was almost a sitter!

CHANCE! This time it is Norwich who have a great chance. Ipswich give the ball away in a dangerous position and Garrido slides a fine ball through to Grabban. The goalscorer has plenty of time and space and only has the keeper to beat, but he goes for a chip and sends his effort well off target, much to the delight of the home fans. What a waste!

NORWICH SUB: Lafferty has squandered a few good chances today and he makes way here having also been yellow carded. On comes Elliott Bennett in his place.

This game has really opened up since half time and both teams are now looking dangerous when they come forward. Both have missed a glorious chance since the break, and it is that second goal that will be crucial in this match.

Half a chance for Ipswich as the ball is nodded back over the Norwich defence, allowing McGoldrick to race down the left channel. The angle is very much against him and the best he can do is win a corner, which he does by blasting an effort at Ruddy at the near post.

SAVE! Once more, Norwich come forward immediately after and almost double their advantage through Grabban. It was a fine effort from the in-form striker, who volleyed an effort towards goal that Gerken was at full-stretch to save.

OFF THE LINE! Another huge chance goes begging for the Canaries as Grabban is left in acres of space to race through on goal. He only has the keeper to beat, but a poor touch in the build-up means that he is forced too far out wide. He still manages to take the ball around the keeper, but his subsequent effort is cleared off the line.

SAVE! Grabban is proving to be a real handful at the moment. He turns provider this time, knocking the ball back for Johnson, whose curling effort is well held by Gerken. Norwich should be out of sight here.

This has been a thoroughly entertaining second half so far, with Norwich once again on top. The hosts started well and have looked more dangerous in the final third, but the Canaries have had a lot of really good chances now and should be two or three ahead. Grabban himself could have easily had a hat-trick.

Despite all those chances, though, just one goal remains between the two teams, and that will give Ipswich extra confidence. They have weathered a storm so far, and how often have we seen one team go on to nick an equaliser after a game like this? The hosts are still very much in this one.

Mick McCarthy looks like he is gearing up to make a couple of changes here with just over 20 minutes left. Norwich have a measure of control over the game right now and the hosts need to do something to change that.

Poor from Tabb as he drifts offside despite being able to see right across the line. He was caught out by a good offside trap from the Canaries there having been left unmarked at the back post from Murphy's cross.

IPSWICH SUBS: Here come the changes for Ipswich, with Hyam being replaced by Kevin Bru, Alex Henshall replacing Tabb and Connor Sammon coming on for Anderson. Triple change from the hosts.

Ipswich commit plenty of men forward, which leaves lots of space for Norwich on the break. Tettey leads the counter-attack, driving forward from midfield before passing it to Bennett, whose shot is deflected behind.

Good play again from Redmond until the finish as he picks the ball up on the left, cuts inside onto his stronger foot and blasts an effort well off target. You could see what he was trying to do, but he couldn't whip his shot into the top corner.

Ipswich are starting to apply a good amount of pressure, but they need to be wary of the counter. Norwich finally get the ball clear after a mini-scramble inside the box and Redmond looks to be through on goal, but Mings does very well to get back and muscle the winger out of it.

Again the hosts come forward as McGoldrick slides a reverse pass to Henshall on the left flank. The sub looks to put a cross in first time, but Turner is there to make a fine interception and put the ball behind for a corner.

Great run from Mings down the left flank as he skips away from a number of challenges before driving into the box. He is eventually stopped, but the referee pulls play back for a free kick in a dangerous crossing position...

YELLOW CARD! The free kick is once again well dealt with by Norwich, who immediately look to break. Mings puts a stop to that with a cynical challenge on Tettey, which earns him a booking.

NORWICH SUB: Hoolahan has been very impressive pulling the strings for Norwich today, but his afternoon is over as he is replaced by Gary O'Neil for the final seven minutes plus stoppage time.

Could we be in for another late Ipswich equaliser here? They scored deep into second-half stoppage time to rescue a point against Birmingham on Tuesday, and similar heroics here would send Portman Road wild.

Norwich have been looking to hit Ipswich on the break for a lot of this second half, but they are understandably less willing to pour when forward when they have the ball. Grabban is staying up front but, other than that, Norwich are getting everyone behind the ball when Ipswich come forward.

McGoldrick wins the ball for his side deep in his own half, which is not where the hosts want him. It is great work from the striker, but he needs to be at the other end with his side chasing an equaliser.

Ipswich have three minutes of added time to get something out of this game now. Will there be some late drama here?

Berra again almost has a say in a late goal as he wins the first header from a free kick, flicking it into the middle. Murphy sticks out a leg and is inches from connecting with the ball before Ruddy comes out to claim.

SAVE! Redmond opts against taking the ball into the corner, instead cutting inside and having a go at goal. It is a low effort on target, but it is easy for Gerken to save.

Norwich take the bragging rights from the East Anglian derby courtesy of a 1-0 win over Ipswich at Portman Road. The Tractor Boys now have four points from four games, while this win takes Norwich top of the table on nine points. Lewis Grabban got the goal, his fourth of the season, as the Canaries once again win the derby in Ipswich's back yard.

Right, that is all we have time for today! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for what was an entertaining derby at Portman Road. Norwich emerge from it victorious to move top of the early Championship table, at least for a few hours. Stay tuned for our match report and reaction, which will be on site shortly. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!