'Form will not win this game. Pure passion will'
BBC Final Score reporter Marc Webber takes a look ahead to the East Anglian derby when Norwich face rivals Ipswich on Saturday.
"We can't wait for derby day! " proclaimed the personal X account of Norwich boss Philippe Clement after their Monday Millwall win. That's a phrase you never thought you would see a Norwich City head coach say earlier in the season, when the Canaries were quagmired in the relegation zone and some were already planning League One away days.
But now they find themselves looking up, second in the Championship form table, and heading into one of the tightest and most important East Anglian derbies in modern history. Ipswich are eighth in the form table, but second in the real one. And they are able to grind out wins from nervy performances, as evidenced in their 2-1 Monday victory over Birmingham City.
That is why the rivalry, the home fans and the occasion will very much be the deciding factors for this Saturday's derby, which I am sure will be an absolute thriller. Get those factors right and Norwich will retain local bragging rights. Form will not win this game.
Pure passion will.