Ipswich v Norwich Betting Tip 2 – Saturday 9 May

Championship Tips

Ipswich were involved in a lot of drama on the final day of the season as they battled with Wolves and Derby for the final play-off spot. A win would have sufficed for Mick McCarthy’s men, no matter what the results were elsewhere, but they went down 3-2 at Blackburn meaning other clubs could sneak into that spot. Wolves were unable to score the goals needed and lost out despite having the same number of points whilst Derby could not muster the point they needed. It is a disservice to Ipswich’s exploits this season to suggest they have finished sixth by default, but there is no doubt they made it in through the back door. That doesn’t matter now, of course; all that does matter is how they perform in the next three weeks as that will determine which league they compete in next season.

Following a slow start to their first season at this level for four years, Norwich have rallied superbly in the second half of the campaign. They came so close to finishing in the top two only faltering in the last fortnight but they do have the supposed advantage of playing the fourth best placed team in these play-offs – the only issue with that is that team happens to be their local rivals. The change in fortunes for Norwich coincided with the arrival of Alex Neil who took over from Neil Adams in January of this year. The former Hamilton manager has instilled a much-needed confidence at Carrow Road which has allowed them to climb the league and give them a much better chance of returning to the Premier League for the first time of asking.

Despite faltering last weekend at Ewood Park, Ipswich finished the season pretty strongly, particularly as they were always the team who were expected to fall away. The Tractor Boys won three of their last five games and it was those wins which ultimately ensured their finish in the play-off spots. McCarthy’s men have been one of several surprise packages of the season and no matter what happens now, they will certainly reflect on this season as a successful one. In many ways, having to face Norwich is the perfect type of game for Ipswich, as derby games often prove to be great levellers.

A home defeat to Middlesborough, coupled with an away draw at Rotherham, were the only blots on an otherwise excellent last couple of months of the season. Unfortunately for Neil and his players they came just at the wrong time to recover from those dropped points. They now come into these end of season play-offs as the favourites to triumph and it’s no surprise when you look at all four squads. Norwich have a host of quality players, especially in the striking department. The Canaries have three strikers all in double figures for league goals this season as well as a midfielder.

This fixture is always an eagerly anticipated one but it is even more so with the circumstances around the game. Ipswich looked lethargic last Saturday and that should not come as a surprise as they have operated with a relatively small squad throughout this season. Norwich finished their season with a comfortable 4-2 win at home and that will have got them in a better mood following a couple of games without a win. They have not lost an away match under Neil, with their last defeat coming in late December. I have my doubts that Ipswich are good enough to beat their opponents over two legs, and I would not be surprised if they actually lose both home and away. Norwich have so much firepower at their disposal and I can see that being the difference.

Norwich 6/4 @ William Hill