Christian Walton has kept 13 clean sheets in the Championship this season (Image: Ross Halls)
Goalkeeper: CHRISTIAN WALTON
No debate here. Walton has been brilliant since claiming the starting spot in goal.
13 clean sheets and a brilliant penalty save away at Watford. Yes, he’s been protected by a strong back line, but has also made some top saves. There’s a fair chance he’ll be tested regularly at Carrow Road.
Darnell Furlong will be tasked with marking Norwich star Ali Ahmed (Image: Ross Halls)
Right back: DARNELL FURLONG
Furlong’s recent levels have dipped a bit. He wasn’t great away at Stoke and was really poor in the build-up to Millwall’s equaliser at Portman Road. That being said, he’s generally consistent and seems to step up in big games.
Away from home, he’s a real pantomime villain. He’ll surely look to wind up the Norwich fans, although he’ll also have a tough job on his hands in keeping in-form winger Ali Ahmed quiet.
Dara O’Shea will hope to captain the Blues to another derby win (Image: Ross Halls)
Right-sided centre back: DARA O’SHEA
Another nailed-on starter, can O’Shea become the first man to captain Town to victory at Carrow Road since Jason de Vos in February 2006?
He’ll need to be calm and composed on the ball while using his pace to keep track of Norwich’s front line. Perhaps more than anything, his leadership will be vital for this one.
Jacob Greaves has stepped up in the absence of Cedric Kipre (Image: Ross Halls)
Left-sided centre back: JACOB GREAVES
Cedric Kipre was one of the derby heroes last time out, opening the scoring from a corner, but he’s been out of the picture with a two-match ban before returning to the bench against Birmingham on Monday.
Will he start here? Greaves has had the minutes in his absence and has performed well alongside O’Shea. I think that sees the former Hull man keep the shirt.
Leif Davis is available after serving his three-match ban (Image: Ross Halls)
Left back: LEIF DAVIS
While I think Davis will start this one, I do believe there’s more of a debate to be had around it than people might realise. He hasn’t played a competitive game in more than a month due to a three-match ban for violent conduct and Ben Johnson has done incredibly well to fill in at left-back.
Getting dropped straight back into a game like this won’t be easy. Ultimately, Davis is the natural option and one of Ipswich’s best players. Having been at the club since 2022, he knows what this derby means more than anyone.
Azor Matusiwa is an injury doubt ahead of the clash (Image: Ross Halls)
Defensive midfielder: AZOR MATUSIWA
If Matusiwa is fit, he starts.
But that’s the concern. He suffered a dead leg against Birmingham and will be assessed ahead of the derby. Given how resilient he’s been this season, I don’t think he’ll let it keep him out of action.
He’ll have to win the midfield battle against Norwich star Pelle Mattsson and skipper Kenny McLean.
Dan Neil played his first 90 minutes for Town on Easter Monday (Image: Ross Halls)
Attacking midfielder: DAN NEIL
Neil has built up a strong partnership alongside Matusiwa and I’d look to continue it.
There have been question marks over his fitness, but he played the full 90 minutes against Birmingham. If he’s ready to go again here, he gets the nod over Jack Taylor and Jens Cajuste for me.
Kasey McAteer is finding his feet after a tough start to life at Portman Road (Image: Steve Waller)
Right winger: KASEY MCATEER
With Wes Burns ruled out, it’s McAteer or Sindre Walle Egeli on the right. I’m confident it’ll be the former.
He’s improved week-on-week, culminating in a match-winning display against Birmingham on Easter Monday, grabbing his first goal for the club. He should be full of confidence and his physical profile suits a derby game like this. He’s earned a start here.
Marcelino Nunez looks set to start against his former side (Image: Ross Halls)
No. 10: MARCELINO NUNEZ
The man under the spotlight. Nunez’s return to Carrow Road will be hostile. I’m confident he’ll start and handle the abuse from the home fans. In fact, I think he’s got a big part to play in this derby.
There’s a temptation to drop him deeper, which would allow Anis Mehmeti to start as well, but his best play has come as a no.10 and Town’s strongest performances come with him in that advanced role.
Jack Clarke scored in the last East Anglian derby (Image: Steve Waller)
Left winger: JACK CLARKE
McKenna hinted that Jaden Philogene isn’t at full fitness after recovering from his MCL injury, and while I’d be tempted to start Mehmeti on the left to capitalise on his strong relationship with Davis, I can’t look past Clarke.
He’s a big-game player and boasts the real X-factor in this team. He’s reliable from the penalty spot and can come up with a moment of magic from nothing.
George Hirst is expected to lead the line against the Canaries (Image: Ross Halls)
Striker: GEORGE HIRST
It sounds like Ivan Azon won’t be ready for this one and I wouldn’t rush him back. Hirst is more than capable of leading the line, with improved performances in front of goal showing his quality.
He drops deep to link play and will battle Norwich’s centre-halves. After emptying the tank, Chuba Akpom is a good option to replace him off the bench.
Alex’s predicted Town XI v Norwich City: 4-2-3-1: Walton; Furlong; O’Shea, Greaves, Davis; Matusiwa, Neil; McAteer, Nunez, Clarke; Hirst