Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the Championship playoff semi-final first-leg meeting between Ipswich Town and Norwich City.

The Canaries will be disappointed not to have gained promotion back to the Premier League via the automatic route following last year's relegation, having slipped up in the closing weeks of the campaign to narrowly miss out. They must now overcome their East Anglian rivals in what is being described as the biggest ever fixture between the two clubs, and Ipswich will be in confident mood on the back of one defeat in their last five outings.

Well kickoff at Portman Road is now less than an hour away, so let's get straight into things by taking a look at some team news...

TEAM NEWS!

IPSWICH TOWN STARTING XI: Bialkowski, Mings, Chambers, Smith, Berra, Skuse, Murphy, Varney, Bru, Sears, Bishop

NORWICH CITY STARTING XI: Ruddy, Whittaker, Martin, Bassong, Olsson, Tettey, Howson, Dorrans, Redmond, Johnson, Jerome

Let's start by taking a look at the home side, then, which shows two changes from the 3-2 defeat against Blackburn Rovers on the final day of the regular season. Kevin Bru and on-loan striker Luke Varney both return to the starting lineup for this mammoth clash, replacing Jonathan Parr and David McGoldrick who both drop to the bench.

McGoldrick has been nursing a thigh injury of late, although he is fit enough for a place among the back-ups, meaning that Freddie Sears, Varney and Teddy Bishop will provide the attacking threat in this Town side. Midfielder Luke Hyam has failed to overcome a knee problem, however, and he misses out on the squad completely.

As far as the visitors are concerned, Alex Neil has opted to make four changes to his starting lineup. Stephen Whittaker, Alex Tettey, Graham Dorrans and Cameron Jerome all return to the side following victory over Fulham seven days ago, while Gary Hooper, Wes Hoolahan, Elliott Bennett & Gary O'Neil drop out.

Whittaker (hamstring), Tettey (knee) and Jerome (minor niggle) were all minor doubts in the build-up to this East Anglian derby, but each have been deemed fit enough following their prolonged break to come back into the fold. The prolific Jerome will no doubt prove a threat throughout this two-legged affair, with support coming from the likes of Nathan Redmond, Johnson and Dorrans.

BENCH WATCH!

IPSWICH TOWN SUBS: Gerken, Parr, Anderson, S.Hunt, Tabb, N.Hunt, McGoldrick

NORWICH CITY SUBS: Rudd, Hooper, Hoolahan, E Bennett, R Bennett, O'Neil, Odjidja-Ofoe

So as already mentioned, McGoldrick and Tabb both drop to the bench this afternoon. Back-up keeper Dean Gerken was another one of the many Ipswich injury doubts, but he has been deemed fit enough to provide cover for Bialkowski should he be needed at any stage. There is also a place among the substitutes for Hunt brothers Stephen and Noel, who may also both have a part to play.

The Canaries have named a strong starting XI this afternoon and they have plenty of options from the bench, too. The four players to make way from the 3-2 win over Fulham last weekend - Hooper, Hoolahan, Elliott Bennett & O'Neil - each form part of the 18-man matchday squad.

Nineteen-goal striker Cameron Jerome has been deemed fit enough to play a full part in this lunchtime's huge derby meeting:

© Getty Images

Well if you missed it last night, Brentford and Middlesbrough provided us with a highly entertaining first-leg tie at Griffin Park. It was Boro who just about did enough to win the game in the end, claiming a 2-1 victory thanks to Fernando Amorebieta's strike deep into added time.

There is still plenty to play for in next week's second leg, though, while this semi-final between East Anglian foes Ipswich and Norwich really could go either way. They say form counts for little in the playoffs, well factor in the fact that this is a derby, and you get the feeling that we are in for a thrilling and unpredictable contest.

Ipswich come into the game on the back of that aforementioned 3-2 defeat against Blackburn last weekend, which could have proved disastrous in their hopes of claiming a top-six place. As it was, Derby slid away in dramatic circumstances in the closing weeks, culminating in their shock 3-0 reverse at home to Reading on the final day. This fixture has been on the cards for months now with both sides plugging away in the playoff zone, but I'm not sure either set of supporters will be all that pleased.

One loss in their last five games - albeit in their last outing - Ipswich find themselves in good shape heading into this showdown, although it came as little surprise to see Mick McCarthy shift the pressure onto opposite number Alex Neil in the week. Of course, with Norwich finishing 10 points ahead in the league table, they have to be considered favourites to come out on top across the two legs, but that is not to say these Town supporters will be happy to simply take part at this stage - they can taste Premier League football

The key word used by McCarthy this season is "progress". There is little arguing that the experienced gaffer has done a fine job since taking over at Portman Road, finally turning this underachieving side into promotion candidates. Their prolonged stay at this level may well be coming to an end, and if they can finally get over the line over these next three games, a large part of their success will be down to the work of the former Republic of Ireland international.

Norwich, on the other hand, have spent just one year at this level following their relegation last time out. While they have been in and around the top six all season, things did look bleak at one stage under former boss Neil Adams, but Alex Neil has steadied the ship since coming in and manager to guide them to a third-placed finish. Automatic promotion was the target, although you simply have to look at the two sides who came down with the Canaries last season - Cardiff City and Fulham - to see how well they have done to even finish in the playoffs.

Norwich were in a fantastic position to grab an automatic promotion spot just a month or so ago, but a costly slip-up at home to Middlesbrough - who themselves threw away the opening of a top-two finish when it was handed to them on a plate - ensured that they had to settle for the playoffs. They come into this match on the back of five games without defeat, while going further back it is just one defeat in 11 - seven of those ending in victory.

DID YOU KNOW? Earning promotion to the top flight is the target over the next few weeks and both these sides certainly know what it is like to succeed at that level. In fact, Ipswich won the first division title back in 1962, spending 26 seasons in the top tier of English football, while Norwich - third-place finishers in 1993 - have spent 24 campaigns in all at that level.

Kickoff is now around 15 minutes away at Portman Road, meaning that there is still enough time to check out the pre-match thoughts of the Sports Mole Sofa team:

PREVIOUS MEETINGS: Alex Neil himself said this week that he believes this is the "biggest ever derby" between the great rivals. Certain supporters inside Portman Road this afternoon will remember the 1985 Milk Cup semi-final - again played over two legs - which provided just as much anticipation. Norwich won 2-1 on that occasion, while overall they have claimed 38 wins to Town's 40.

That goes to show just how tight these games tend to be, although that said Norwich won both regular league meetings this season, the last of which came back in March when they ran out 2-0 victors at Carrow Road. In fact, the Canaries have won each of the last four fixtures between the pair, so the omens are looking good for them heading into the first leg.

Okay, I hope that's whet the appetite a little more with kickoff fast approaching. Before giving a prediction, let's have a look at what both camps have had to say in the build-up to this much-anticipated clash:

Mick McCarthy: "They have been outstanding since he came in and they beat us [at Carrow Road] 2-0, but we didn't really play against them. I would have thought most people, innocent observers who have no vested interest in the game, will be thinking it is going to be Norwich [who win] so happy days [for us]."

Alex Neil: "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. The early kickoff doesn't concern us. We played at lunch-time last week and won."

PREDICTION: Norwich may have won the last four meetings between the pair, but all signs point to a tight and cagey affair. The game cannot be won this afternoon, of course, although it can certainly be lost should one team fail to turn up. Norwich have to be considered favourites, having racked up a 10-point lead over their rivals during the regular campaign, yet I'm going with a 1-1 draw this afternoon to keep this one alive and well heading into the return tie next week.

Both sides are now out on the field, with kickoff just moments away. There is a terrific atmosphere inside Portman Road as expected, so let's hope that helps add to the spectacle in what should be an entertaining clash.

KICKOFF! Ipswich Town get us underway in this second Championship playoff semi-final, whipping the ball into the box inside the first minute for Mings to direct a header goalwards.

It is Norwich who have been on the attack over the past few moments, without being able to find a way through. The ball fell nicely for Dorrans around 15 yards from goal, but he completely fluffed his lines when looking for a spectacular volley.

The atmosphere inside this famous, old ground really is terrific. Neither side has had a great deal to shout about thus far, but already it is clear to see that this game is going to flow throughout.

SAVE! The first big chance of the game falls to the home side, and if not for a fine stop from Ruddy they would have had an early lead. Murphy did brilliantly to charge into the box and pick out Sears in a central position, who had his initial shot kept out by the City stopper. The rebound fell kindly to Varney, but he too saw his effort from close range pushed aside by the England international.

Norwich look to respond to that scare by putting together an attack of their own, which ended with Johnson screwing a shot wide of goal when teed up by Dorrans.

How big could that double stop from Ruddy prove to be come the end of the 180 minutes - or more - of this contest? It has certainly given the home supporters further hope that they can topple their rivals, despite the superior gap between them in terms of points in the league table.

Norwich have done well over the last few minutes, with Tettery working some space inside the box, but he slipped before getting a cross away to see the latest attack come to nothing.

The game has certainly settled down a little more since that double chance for Ipswich 10 minutes or so ago, which has favoured the visitors. They are seeing more of the ball, although they are not doing a great deal with it at the moment.

Murphy proves that he is far more than just a goalscorer by working tirelessly out wide, before Martin cleared away his cross. There's been a short stoppage in play over the past few moments as Chambers receives some treatment on the field after being caught a little late by Jerome.

Some fantastic defending from Luke Chambers denies Howson heading Norwich in front from close range. A cross came in from Whittaker on the right, but the Town skipper produced a fine headed clearance to ensure that this one remains goalless.

CLOSE! Well the Norwich fans can be forgiven for thinking their side had taken the lead, after Tettey's effort from range rustled the back of the net. The ball actually skimmed the post on its way through, before crashing off the stanchion behind the goal and into the wrong side of the net. Tettery just inches away from opening the scoring.

Norwich are certainly the side on top now, as Johnson heads Dorrans' cross wide at the back post. Ipswich need to find some momentum again, because the Canaries are growing more and more into the contest.

Championship correspondent Pascal Lemesre enjoying the view behind one of the goals. Norwich have been on top so far, although Ipswich have squandered the game's best chance:

Awesome seats for maybe the biggest #OldFarmDerby ever. COYB! #itfc

A video posted by Pascal Lemesre (@pascalsnaps) on May 9, 2015 at 4:37am PDT

Play has been halted for the past few minutes due to an injury picked up by Varney. There did not appear to be anyone around him when he went to ground, which is always a concern. The stretcher is now out on the field, so his afternoon is almost certainly over.

IPSWICH SUB: Play is now back underway following that lengthy stoppage. It will be interesting to see if Norwich can pick up from where they left off, or if Ipswich will use that break in play to wrestle control of things. Varney was unable to continue as a result of the injury he picked up, with Paul Anderson on in his place.

Anderson almost makes an instant impact as he meets Bishop's cross, but he was unable to keep his header down and it flew high over the bar. Twelve minutes remaining of this first half, although we will have five or six minutes added on.

It has been a decent spectacle so far, albeit with minimal chances. Murphy and Varney had good opportunities inside the opening 10 minutes which Ruddy kept out, while Tettey fired inches wide in Norwich's best move of the game. Still plenty of time to go.

Ipswich have been the better side since that lengthy stoppage in play, although again they have not done a great deal with the ball. They are getting plenty of crosses away, the latest of which Murphy heads wide.

The Tractor Boys are enjoying an awful lot of the ball in this Old Farm Derby, but with space ahead of him Anderson drags a shot wide of goal from 25 yards out.

First blood Norwich in this East Anglian derby! It is a very well worked goal, too, with Jerome wrestling Smith off the ball and charging to the byline before cutting it back for Howson to guide home. The midfielder still had an awful lot to do, but his first-time finish from the centre of the box left Bialkoswki with little chance.

The finish was fantastic, although there is a big question mark over whether Jerome illegally won the ball off Smith. It is a really tough one for the referee, but the Ipswich man did not appeal and there was not a great deal in it. That said, you so often see free kicks awarded in those positions.

As predicted, we have six minutes of added time to play at Portman Road. The tackles are flying in all over the pitch now, with the added intensity helping this atmosphere increase another few notches. Town now have a free kick in a good shooting position.

Mings takes the free kick, which deflects wide for a corner, but Ipswich are unable to capitalise on the set-piece situation.

Portman Road has just erupted! Substitute Paul Anderson becomes an instant hero, tucking the ball home from five yards out to level things up right at the end of the first half. Sears' initial shot proved too hot for Ruddy to handle, and the keeper could only clear as far as Anderson who was waiting to fire home from close range.

Half a chance for Tommy Smith, who heads over the bar at the back post. I don't think he was expecting the ball to reach him, meaning that he did not get the connection he wanted on the ball.

SAVE! Huge save from Bialkowski right at the end of this first half. Redmond's shot had plenty of power behind it, but the Polish keeper did well to push it to safety in the last act of the first half.

What a fantastic first half of football at Portman Road! It is 1-1 at the break in this intriguing first-leg affair, with Paul Anderson cancelling out Jonny Howson's earlier opener in the fourth minute of added time at the end of the half.

Ipswich were almsot ahead just seven minutes in thanks to some powerful running from top-scorer Daryl Murphy, who squared the ball for Sears to get a shot away which was saved by Ruddy, before the Englishman kept out Varney's follow-up. City were the side on top for large parts of the opening quarter, but a lengthy stoppage in play due to an injury picked up by Varney allowed the hosts to wrestle back control.

Tettey fired agonisingly wide of goal on 22 minutes, with the ball scraping the post on its way through and ending up in the back of the net, albeit the wrong side after coming back off the stanchion. It was then that Norwich took the lead through Howson's well taken first-time shot, which came about after Jerome won the ball - perhaps illegally - from Smith in a wide area.

The Canaries were unable to see out the remainder of the half, however, and in the fourth of eight minutes of added on time it was game on once more as substitute Anderson slotted the ball home after Ruddy parried Sears' shot. There was still time for one last chance, with Redmond blasting a shot in at goal which Bialkowski did well to push away in the last act of an entertaining first half.

MATCH ACTION: Nathan Redmond closes down Tyrone Mings during the first half of the East Anglian derby meeting between Ipswich Town and Norwich City

© Getty Images

BENCH WATCH!

IPSWICH TOWN SUBS: Gerken, Parr, S.Hunt, Tabb, N.Hunt, McGoldrick

NORWICH CITY SUBS: Rudd, Hooper, Hoolahan, E Bennett, R Bennett, O'Neil, Odjidja-Ofoe

Ipswich have already been forced into one change, of course, and it has paid dividends for them. Neither manager has made a change at the break, as both teams emerge for the second half.

RESTART! We are back underway at Portman Road. Will this second half match the entertainment value witnessed in the first?

YELLOW CARD! The first caution of the afternoon comes early in the second half, with Dorrans' cynical tackle on Anderson seeing him enter the referee's book. The first of many, I imagine.

Anderson has been superb since coming on, proving a real threat to the Norwich defence. A fine searching ball from Skuse is latched on to by the substitute inside the box, but he fired well over the bar.

Howson does really well to keep the ball in play which ensures that the pressure remains on Ipswich. It has been a quiet spell to this second period, which will suit the visitors just fine.

Ipswich have won plenty of aerial duels this afternoon, Murphy in particular having plenty of joy. Like many of the others, though, he heads over when picked out.

Still little in terms of goalmouth action in the opening 12 minutes or so of this second half. Both teams appear to be living off scraps at this stage, but we can surely expect that to change. A third goal of the tie could prove massive come this time next week.

YELLOW CARD! Jerome can consider himself a little unlucky to earn the game's second caution. A tangle of legs when chasing down Berra was enough for him to be shown a yellow.

SHOT! The first real attempt of the half comes via Johnson, who managed to get a shot away despite slipping. It was a weak effort, however, which Bialkowski easily got down to keep hold of.

Sears earns his side a corner from pretty much nothing. He chased down the ball which had Bassong panicking, and he felt it was best to simply clear away at the risk of conceding a corner kick. Norwich were unable to make the most of the opportunity, however, as this tame second half continues.

Norwich have enjoyed a decent little spell in possession, which culminates in the ball falling nicely for Jerome to strike on the edge of the box. His shot was blocked away, though, with Bialkowski a mere spectator at the moment in truth.

CHANCE! Not the easiest of chance for Sears, but a chance nonetheless. He read the flight of Bru's cross well, although he could only nod wide of the target at the back post. That is pretty much as good as things have got since the restart for either side.

Johnson is picked out inside the box at a fairly tight angle, but he was unable to keep his shot on target. It took a deflection on its way through, yet it looked to be flying wide regardless.

NORWICH CITY SUB: Hoolahan replaces Dorrans in the Canaries' first change of the day. Can he provide some additional threat in attack with his fresh legs?

IPSWICH TOWN SUB: Jay Tabb has now been introduced for the hosts in place of Bru. There has been no flow to this second half whatsoever, which has not been helped by these quick-fire changes.

Norwich have been enjoying various spells on the ball, and they are going through one of those periods right now. The visitors are not making the most of their openings, however, relying on shots from distance which more times than not are being blocked away. Fifteen minutes to go.

Can Norwich find a winning goal in the final quarter of the game to prolong Ipswich's barren run in this fixture?

4 - Ipswich have lost each of their last four derbies against Norwich, their worst ever run against their rivals. Harvested. — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 9, 2015

IPSWICH SUB: Final change of the afternoon for Ipswich sees Parr replace Bishop. The contest has more of an end-to-end feel about it all of a sudden, meanwhile, as Martin blocks Murphy's shot.

Still Norwich are threatening to make something happen, without actually causing any danger to their rivals. We have not seen any clear-cut chances since Redmond's strike at the very end of the first half.

Ipswich seem to be happy to sit on this 1-1 draw, which is a little surprising. A draw will certainly keep the game alive heading into the second leg, but there is certainly another goal in this game if they can get some bodies forward.

YELLOW CARD! If you were going to bet on a side winning this late on, you'd put your money on Norwich. They just seem to have more energy than their opponents, as witnessed by Martin's burst forward which came to a halt when he was tripped by Anderson. The Town goalscorer earns a yellow for his trouble.

NORWICH CITY SUB: Hooper was a little unlucky to be left out this afternoon, but he will be given a few minutes here to make a further impression. Jerome is the man to make way.

Tettey catches Anderson with a high boot to the face, but he escapes a booking. There has been a serious lack of quality in this second half, which must surely come down to the nerves of competing in the playoffs. One mistake can ultimately see your whole season go down the drain.

We are approaching the time of the game in which Boro scored a dramatic late winner yesterday evening. This could prove to be a crucial period of this two-legged affair, although neither side looks remotely like scoring at the moment.

SAVE! Just as I say that, Redmond loops a header goalwards which Bialkowski is forced to tip over. It looked to be just about on target, so that was an important intervention from the Polish keeper.

We are now deep into the second of three added on minutes. The ball is in Norwich's half, as Ipswich attempt to carve out one final chance.

A nervy moment at the back for Ipswich as the ball bobbles around. Norwich could not quite get it under control, though, with the ball being cleared away.

So honours even at Portman Road, then, meaning that it is still all to play for in seven days' time. All the action took place in a frenetic opening 45 minutes, which was followed up by a rather bland second period. Both sets of supporters will be happy enough with the scoreline, as attention turns to what will be the biggest East Anglian derby fixture ever this time next week.

Well that is all from me in terms of live commentary, but be sure to stick around on Sports Mole with our coverage of the 3pm Premier League fixtures now well underway. Take your pick of fixtures right here, ahead of the League Two playoff semi-final first-leg meeting between Plymouth and Wycombe this evening.